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Mercedes-Benz has launched a new Blind Spot Assist technology, which aims to prevent accidents between trucks and other road users such as pedestrians or cyclists.

The key feature of the Blind Spot Assist is a radar sensor deployed in front of the truck’s rear axle on the co-driver’s side.

The system covers the entire length of a semi-trailer or a truck, giving the driver a complete view of other road users and stationary obstacles, especially while turning corners and changing lanes towards the co-driver’s side.

In the event of a collision, the system flashes a red LED lamp and gives the driver a warning signal.

"People expect the technology leader to create pioneering solutions, especially when it improves active safety, which is a top priority at Daimler Trucks."

When the system is turned off, use of the indicator or steering angle will warn the driver about the risk of a collision.

According to the German Insurance Association, the Blind Spot Assist can prevent approximately half of all accidents between trucks and pedestrians.

Daimler Trucks global product engineering and procurement head Sven Ennerst said: "The development of Blind Spot Assist is now finished from a technological standpoint.

"At Daimler, we have always been concerned about trucks having collisions when turning corners. However, before we launch the system on the market, we first have to extensively test and validate it.

"This means that the system still has to undergo hundreds of thousands of kilometres of testing and to be adapted to a wide variety of vehicle variants.

"People expect the technology leader to create pioneering solutions, especially when it improves active safety, which is a top priority at Daimler Trucks."

Image: Mercedes-Benz’s Blind Spot Assist technology for trucks. Photo: courtesy of Daimler.