New technologies for 2014

OEM and supplier engineers are all about technical innovation. In this special feature, Automotive Engineering International highlights (in no particular order) some notable ones debuting on 2014 models.

Mercedes-Benz, using networked electronic systems (sensor fusion), introduced on its MY2014 S-Class a suspension system that can “see” the road surface ahead and make ultra-high-speed decisions on how to deal with it. Called Magic Body Control (MBC), the anticipatory system comes with “a world first” Road Surface Scan stereo camera and Mercedes' established Active Body Control. The windshield-mounted camera monitors the road to a distance of 15 m (49 ft) in front of the car. Analyzing the resultant images and information about the car's driving status, a control unit then calculates its optimum strategy. This means softening or stiffening damper reaction ahead of the event and increasing or reducing the load to each wheel via an active hydraulic system. MBC reacts in “fractions of a second” and operates up to speeds of 130 km/h (81 mph). See related article at http://articles.sae.org/12330.