- Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday debuted a new active seatbelt buckle for rear passengers that will go into production later this year.
- The buckle is illuminated and features an electric motor that allows it to extend out from the seat or retract into it.
- The German automaker said the new seatbelt buckle is designed to increase the percentage of rear passengers who buckle up.
STUTTGART, Germany — Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday debuted a new active seatbelt buckle for rear passengers that will go into production later this year.
The buckle is illuminated and features an electric motor that allows it to extend out from the seat or retract into it. The German automaker said the new seatbelt buckle is designed to increase the percentage of rear passengers who buckle up.
It is part of a larger trend of automakers paying more attention to the safety of rear-seat passengers. Ford introduced inflatable rear seatbelts in 2009.
Mercedes-Benz did not identify which model will be the first to get the new seatbelt technology.
"(It) will shortly go into series production in one of (our) luxury-segment models," Mercedes-Benz said in a statement.
The active seatbelt buckle is designed to reduce the belt slack in the area of the pelvis and thorax. The automaker said passengers are "secured more firmly in sideways and lengthways directions" with the active seatbelt buckle.
The seatbelt buckle emerges from the upholstery by almost 3 inches when the rear doors are opened. The setup is integrated into Mercedes' PreSafe preventive safety systems.
Inside Line says: Expect to see this on other competitors' vehicles before too long.
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vhorizon says:
08:10 AM, 02/09/2012
nice effort by mb
carguy622 says:
07:53 AM, 02/09/2012
One more unnecessary motor. One more pound of weight. One more bullet to add to the brochure.
What a waste.
rwatson says:
06:38 AM, 02/09/2012
danwilson1,
True. And no matter how much I respect and adore MB, I'm part of the crowd who rolls eyes and thinks, "Great, another moving part added," I realistically support the position that failure of this feature won't be a show-stopper for anyone. Unfortunately, there are those who'll shout "The sky's falling" if the little LED goes out. All because society has taught us to demand every conceivable widget be available (and soon be standard) or the whole company is labeled a "P.O.S. who doesn't care and is overpriced."
So, it's not the feature I dread so much. It's eventually the consumer who demonizes the whole brand after the first cough.
danwilson1 says:
04:08 AM, 02/09/2012
I'm surprised at all the "something more to break comments". Um, yeah? Modern cars are so loaded with technology that can fail or break or will eventually fail or break without proper maintenance in the future. It can happen on any car. Paying for the upkeep of your car is part of the car-owning-experience. Some manufacturers charge more than others. Fact. Deal with it.
I've been driving Mercedes' products for decades and I've never experienced any major problems or expensive repairs that would discourage me from going back. I currently have a '10 E350 sedan and an '09 ML350.
And what's more, I have a family. A lovely wife and two beautiful teenage daughters. I want the best for them and that means a safe car for one. If this new feature improves the safety in cars from a manufacturer who already builds very well-made and safe cars, then I'll gladly pay extra for this feature. At the end of the day money is just money and can be earned (aka "replaced") - but you cannot replace a family.
rwatson says:
12:05 AM, 02/09/2012
I hate the idea of a "nanny-state," always trying to keep us safe from ourselves and the manufatcturers jumping in bed with them. Everyone who says this will trickle down and be another unnecessary millstone around the consumer's neck is, unfortunately, correct.
MB is responsible for quite a number of "firsts" in the auto world, including safety concepts, such as the "crumple zone," I believe. Too many to list at 2:00 AM (Had hernia surgery yesterday and pain got me up just now and am waiting for the happy pill to kick in) so I hope everyone will look into this, instead of waiting for links. However, this is another "breakthrough" I can live without.
On the other hand, I can understand MB's position on this. Competition is so fierce and narrow, the once-was "innovator" is expected to innovate some more in the safety department. I'd hate to be in their shoes now. But, as an aid to assist parents installing car seats and helping older folk and small children buckle up, it's a welcome aid.
Personally, I buckle up, and demand other occupants to for safety, and not for nanny-laws. I've seen the good they do. Government needs to get out of it.
calspecial68 says:
06:57 PM, 02/08/2012
Another thing to go wrong in our cars. Another thing automakers will put in as standard equipment to drive the bottom line further and further into the stratosphere. Seriously people, do we really need everything to be done for us? I understand that putting in a car seat is difficult in some vehicles, but this is just silly.
hubblehornz66 says:
12:53 PM, 02/08/2012
Sometimes i feel as if Merc. is trying to have a compotion to see whos cars can have the most features but yet cost the most money.
HH
66
aldoid says:
11:53 AM, 02/08/2012
I think this is a good idea... & I'm sure most people who've had to grope & fumble around for the seat belt buckle (especially when trying to secure a child seat) will agree that the active bit could be quite useful.
wikiwiki says:
11:43 AM, 02/08/2012
More expensive gizmos that will cost a fortune to fix.
blueguydotcom says:
11:24 AM, 02/08/2012
@se_
" If the seats tumble, fold, removable, or stow-and-go (think minivan or Honda Fit), the wiring is quite difficult to impractical. Plus, do the lights remain on the entire time the car is on if it's not buckled (irritating), do they turn off after a preset amount of time (probably the easiest), or is there a seat occupancy sensor (most complex)?"
Um, I answered that already I think. I wrote that it should be illuminated for a pre-set time the vehicle has been in motion. It's really easy with a timer, much like all cars (I assume...haven't been in one without it) currently have delays for how long the dome light stays on when a door is closed or the engine is turned off. As it's an LED the light would take almost no energy so the power source options are nearly endless (wired, battery, solar). No need for seat pressure sensors...too complex. Go with all on and X time or X time in motion since door was last closed.
The folding seats nothing would need to change. The removable seats your best option then would probably be a small battery in each buckle/seat.