CRASH-TEST dummies at Mercedes-Benz may soon find themselves out of a job. Not because of another outsourcing exercise but, rather, the company's progressive safety research.

The German manufacturer - which pioneered the crumple zone and airbags - envisions a world without road accidents. Yes, you heard right.

'We have a very clear vision - to drive accident-free,' says Professor Thomas Breitling, the company's director for active safety, at a safety roadshow in Taichung.

As development of technologies that minimise crash injury reaches a plateau (there can be only so many airbags in a car), Mercedes believes active safety - the science of avoiding crashes - is the way forward.

Distronic Plus and Pre-Safe Braking are examples of such prevention-is-better-than-cure technologies.

Using short-range radars, Distronic Plus allows the car to detect obstacles ahead. When necessary, the car's cruising speed is moderated to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

Pre-Safe Braking 'braces' the car for a crash when it detects a possible frontal collision: by activating passive safety features such as adding tension to the seat restraints.

At the same time, the system will apply the brakes to warn the driver of an impending crash. This is accompanied by a loud buzzer, which jolts the driver into action and gives him ample opportunity to stomp on the brake pedal.

These technologies create an 'electronic crumple zone' that is able to reduce the chances (or severity) of a collision. They are already standard equipment on the Mercedes S-class in Europe, and could debut in Singapore later this year.

But what is fascinating is the company's current research and development in the area of active safety. For example, in the near future (say, five years), a more advanced version of the Pre-Safe Brakes will be introduced. It will brake automatically in the event that the driver does not react after the cautionary braking.

Prof Breitling explains that the development of Mercedes' active safety falls into three categories: See, Communicate and Adapt.

Research is underway for video stereo-vision that allows the car to anticipate movement by recognising road structures, vehicles, pedestrians and even road signs.

Mercedes engineers hope that the research will pave the way for a system that can warn drivers of impending dangers, and even alert them to posted speed limits.

The company is also involved in pilot projects for car-to-car wireless communication. This enables cars to communicate with each other by sending radio signals.

Such beacons could warn other cars of slippery road conditions, roadside breakdowns, concealed traffic intersections or even traffic congestion. The technology can be extended to include 'live' traffic information.

Research is also being done on driver drowsiness detection. This technology is not exclusive to the German firm, as others like Nissan, Saab and Toyota have similar fatigue detection systems.

Mercedes' research has shown that better driver comfort has an inverse relationship to stress and fatigue levels at the wheel. Therefore, comfort is another aspect that it is looking to improve.

Which brings us to the point of driverless cars. With so many technologies that work towards averting accidents, will the human element - the driver - eventually become redundant?

Prof Breitling is quick to assert that Mercedes is unlikely to make a driverless car. 'All our safety systems still put the driver in a position of responsibility,' he says.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Feb 23 2008.