MAN to launch automatic-stopping safety system
MAN is to launch its SafeStop Assist, an active intervention system brings the vehicle to a safe stop automatically in emergencies. It is designed to overcome the dangers of a driver becoming suddenly unable to act due to unforeseen events.
If the system detects that the driver is no longer active, it intervenes in the driving process in a three-stage warning and braking cascade. In the first stage, the driver is prompted to take over the steering by means of a warning symbol and text messages on the display as well as a slight vibration of the steering wheel. If the driver fails to do so, an acoustic warning is added to the visual and haptic warning messages. The assistance system also carries out increasingly heavy partial braking. If the driver does not react either, MAN SafeStop Assist initiates an emergency stop and brakes the bus to a standstill within the system limits in its own lane – even if it is winding.
The MAN SafeStop Assist is now available as an option for the MAN Lion’s Intercity, the MAN Lion’s Coach, the Neoplan Tourliner and the Neoplan Skyliner.
With the help of a sensor integrated in the front of the vehicle and a camera positioned behind the windscreen, the system also continuously monitors lane keeping as well as the distance, position and relative speed of objects ahead.
Heinz Kiess, Head of Product Marketing Bus at MAN Truck & Bus, said: “No other manufacturer offers such a system for all current coach models. However, this is not the reason why it is one of the most important innovations of the 2024 model year, but rather because it can prevent serious accidents.”