Mercedes-Benz to Debut Pedestrian Collision Avoidance System

Next year Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz Cars unit will introduce an optional system that uses radar and a camera to detect pedestrians and takes evasive action to avoid hitting them, Automotive News Europe reports.

The technology, which was developed by Continental AG, can automatically brake the vehicle from speeds as high as 44 mph. The system also can veer around the pedestrian if it determines the car cannot stop in time to avoid impact.

The system ANE describes uses radar to detect objects more than 200 yards away. The camera's range is only 38 yards, but it can recognize objects more specifically.

Earlier this month Conti unveiled a compact sensor module, the SRL-CAM4000, with similar characteristics. That unit which integrates a CMOS camera, infrared sensor and control electronics is expected go into commercial production in 2015.