Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) celebrated a decade of its Accident Research team at the Mercedes-Benz SAFE ROADS India Summit 2024 in Bengaluru, reaffirming its continuous focus on road safety.
This milestone underscores MBRDI's role as the largest R&D hub for Mercedes-Benz Group AG outside Germany, spearheading innovations in accident reconstruction, data analytics, and safety system development tailored to Indian road conditions.
The Accident Research team, established as a global digital hub, has investigated 52 critical cases since 2019, including India's first EQS accident analysis. Insights from these studies are driving advancements in vehicle safety, with data revealing that 95% of seatbelt users in analysed accidents were unharmed, highlighting the effectiveness of passive safety systems.
Prof Dr Paul Dick, Director of Vehicle Safety at Mercedes-Benz AG, emphasised the brand’s dedication to accident-free mobility by 2050. “Our decade-long accident research in India provides essential insights to save lives and adapt safety technologies to diverse markets,” he said.
Advanced tools like 3D scanning, augmented reality, and AI-driven anonymisation bolster MBRDI’s efforts. The team has pioneered deep learning-based image anonymisation with over 80% accuracy, ensuring privacy while enhancing global safety research.
The summit also featured a student ideathon, where IIT Madras emerged as the winner with a LiDAR-based terrain detection system for ADAS, promising safer navigation in challenging terrains. Other innovative ideas included AI-driven driver feedback systems and geo-fencing solutions for speed regulation in sensitive zones.
The SAFE ROADS initiative, launched in 2015, continues to unite policymakers, academia, and industry leaders in fostering safer roads through data-driven insights and innovative technologies.
As Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO of MBRDI, stated, “Road safety is a shared responsibility. Through collaboration and technology, we are creating impactful solutions for India’s unique challenges while advancing the global vision of accident-free mobility.”
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