AssetID: 53583367
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz Captures First Ever X-Ray Of A Car Crash To See What Happens Inside A Wreck
Caption: Mercedes-Benz has captured the first X-ray of a car crash. The groundbreaking test offers a new perspective on the impact dynamics of vehicle collisions, potentially revolutionising how carmakers understand and enhance the safety of their vehicles and passengers. The test involved a Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan undergoing a side impact collision at approximately 60 kilometres per hour (roughly 37 miles per hour), a speed commonly used in collision testing. However, what set this test apart was the use of a linear accelerator positioned above the car, functioning as an X-ray camera. This technology, similar to that used in airport security and medical diagnostics, allowed for a direct visualization of the internal effects of the crash in real time. Dr. Malte Kurfiß, Head of the Crash Test Center at Fraunhofer EMI, highlighted the significance of this test, stating, "The Mercedes-Benz X-ray crash sets a milestone in the development tools of the future. With a direct view into the hidden interior, it can help to draw important conclusions for the further improvement of vehicle safety." This technology enables a previously impossible insight into the deformations and interactions inside a vehicle during a crash, providing invaluable data for enhancing safety measures. A particularly noteworthy aspect of the test was the inclusion of a SID II dummy with female anatomy, underscoring Mercedes-Benz's commitment to addressing gender disparities in vehicle safety. Traditionally, crash tests have not fully accounted for the differences between male and female physiology, often leaving women at greater risk of serious injury in collisions. By incorporating a female crash dummy, Mercedes-Benz aims to produce more accurate and inclusive safety data, paving the way for improvements that benefit all passengers. The process involved the X-ray camera emitting radiation pulses towards the stationary vehicle, with a flat detector beneath the car capturing the resulting images. The images are then converted into electrical signals, varying in intensity based on the absorption of radiation by the car and dummy. This method not only offers a glimpse into the immediate effects of a crash but also assists in enhancing the fidelity of digital vehicle prototypes, thereby advancing safety standards and regulations. Mercedes-Benz's X-ray crash test represents a leap forward in automotive safety, offering a new tool for engineers and designers to improve vehicle structures and safety features. By leveraging X-ray technology, Mercedes-Benz is not only addressing current safety challenges but also setting a new benchmark for the industry, ensuring that future vehicles are safer for everyone. The innovative experiment was carried out in collaboration with the Fraunhofer-Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, also known as the Ernst Mach Institute (EMI), in Freiburg, Germany.
Keywords: Mercedes-Benz,Presse,press photo,feature,photo feature,photo story
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