Mercedes wants to protect your *ears* during an accident
Mercedes is launching a car next spring that is “on the road to autonomous and accident-free driving.’’
The 2017 E-Class sedan includes a variety of new technologies, such as semi-automated driving on freeways and city traffic, active brake assist, car-to-car communication, a digital car key, and more.
“We are taking a further major step along the road to autonomous and connected driving,’’ said Thomas Weber, who is responsible for group research and Mercedes-Benz cars development. “The innovations that will be available for the future E-Class are taking safety, stress relief, and comfort to a new level.’’
But the technology getting the most attention is one you probably haven’t thought about before. The German automaker is calling it “Pre-Safe Sound.’’
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This system, according to a press release, is meant to prevent internal ear damage caused by the loud noises during an accident.
As Wired explains, the ears have a natural trick to prevent damage from loud noises. When a loud noise is first hear, the “acoustic reflex contracts the stapedius muscle in the middle ear to block out the sound, protecting the sensitive eardrums and other bits of the inner ear.’’
Mercedes is using this knowledge to put their own safety in the E-Series. From the statement:
“PRE-SAFE® Sound therefore emits a short interference signal through the vehicle’s sound system if the risk of a collision is detected. This signal can trigger the stapedius reflex, which prepares the ears for the noise and thus lessens the risk of hearing discomfort or damage.’’
So the noise emitted by the car is loud enough to trigger your body’s natural protective response, but not loud enough to cause permanent damage. The impact of a crash, on the other hand, could be loud enough to damage your ears before the reflex has a chance to kick in.
The Mercedes will also come with high-resolution multi-beam LED headlamps that illuminate the road in detail without distracting other drivers. So hopefully that ear-splitting crash never happens.
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