Emphasising its commitment to enhancing road safety awareness, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) — the largest research and development centre for Mercedes-Benz Group AG outside Germany — celebrated 10 years of its Accident Research team in India at the Mercedes-Benz SAFE ROADS India Summit 2024 in Bengaluru.
Road safety continues to be a pressing concern in India. In 2023, there were over 4.8 lakh road accidents, which claimed 1.72 lakh lives[1]. Our accident investigations in India show that 95% of the driver and front passengers who used seat belts were uninjured, revealing the power of passive safety systems.
Research and innovation in road safety are bridging the gap between risk and safety. Established as the digital hub of global accident research operations, the Accident Research team in India specialises in accident reconstruction, anonymisation, and data analytics across various accident databases, enabling the evaluation of safety system effectiveness under diverse Indian road conditions. Starting active accident investigations in 2019, the team has investigated 52 critical accident cases, including seven involving electric vehicles. A significant milestone includes the first EQS accident investigation, an event that underscored the team’s expertise in emerging automotive technologies. By comparing accident data, the team gains insights into typical accident and deformation patterns, aiding the development of more effective protection systems and enhancing the safety of future Mercedes-Benz vehicle models.
“Road safety is a global challenge that demands localised understanding and actionable solutions. At Mercedes-Benz, our ultimate purpose transcends technology; it’s saving human lives. MBRDI’s decade-long accident research provides crucial insights in fulfilling this purpose. With safety embedded in its core ethos, Mercedes-Benz uses data-driven innovation to address the unique challenges of diverse markets while advancing the collective vision of accident-free mobility by 2050. This milestone marks an important step in translating that vision into reality for India and beyond,” said Prof. Dr. Paul Dick, Director of Vehicle Safety, Durability, Corrosion Protection, Mercedes-Benz AG.
Building on the legacy of 55 years of the Accident Research team in Germany, the India team handles end-to-end responsibilities for Indian accident cases and has developed deep learning-based image anonymisation with over 80% accuracy. With tools such as Xentry diagnostics and Python-based accident data analysis, Mercedes-Benz is leveraging and developing technologies to accelerate the implementation of vehicle safety improvements. The team also uses 3D scanning with Scaniverse, real-time digital data entry, and augmented reality through VuZix smart glasses for efficient global collaboration. e-Call data ensures precise accident tracking, while sophisticated anonymisation techniques protect privacy.
Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India said, “We believe that road safety is not just a priority but a shared responsibility. SAFE ROADS is a testament to our commitment to raising awareness, increasing collaboration, and taking an insights-driven approach to address India’s unique road safety challenges. Our teams conduct meticulous critical accident data collection and analyses, enabling us to identify patterns and develop impactful solutions. By integrating technology and partnerships, we are not just enhancing the safety capabilities of our vehicles but are also driving a shift towards safer road practices in India.”
The Mercedes-Benz SAFE ROADS India Summit is part of the nationwide SAFE ROADS initiative launched in 2015, bringing together policymakers, academia, industry, NGOs, and students to foster dialogue and showcase innovative solutions for road safety. A distinguished panel featuring Piyush Tewari, Founder & CEO, SaveLIFE Foundation, M. N. Anucheth, IPS, Joint Police Commissioner (Traffic), Bengaluru, and Pramod Reddemreddy, Director of Marketing, Strategy & Innovation, Bosch Mobility India explored the significance of in-depth data for improved safety.
SAFE ROADS India Summit 2024 also included a student ideathon on road safety, where a team from IIT Madras emerged the winner for their idea on LiDAR-based terrain drop-off detection for ADAS. This uses high-precision sensors to map real-time terrain and alert drivers to hazards in hilly regions. The first runner-up from IIT Hyderabad shared the idea of a dynamic driver feedback system leveraging artificial intelligence to integrate vehicle kinematic characteristics and driver behaviour, providing real-time recommendations for safer driving. The second runner-up, also from IIT Madras, proposed a geo-fencing solution that automatically enforces speed limits in sensitive areas such as school zones and residential neighbourhoods by communicating with a vehicle’s electronic control unit. These ideas demonstrate cutting-edge approaches to improving road safety through advanced technology and intelligent systems.
