Side Assist.

Two radar sensors on each side of the rear bumper monitor what is happening behind and beside the car. One transmission and three receiver antenna as well as one control unit make up this compact compound. Radar pulses are emitted by transmission antenna and reflected by objects nearby. The reflections received are analysed by the respective device: size, position and speed of the objects recorded are computed. Stationary objects such as barriers or parked vehicles are ignored.

Control units share the work: control unit 1, the so-called master, monitors all objects recognised. This information is then analysed by the second control unit, the co-called slave, which checks if there is a critical situation. Depending on the situation the slave then activates the respective warning lights in the wing-mirrors. Communications between master and slave units are conducted via a private CAN data bus.

Side Assist needs additional information to take the right decisions. The CAN data bus transmits information about the current speed and radius of bends (ABS/ESP control unit) as well as if the indicator is on or off (comfort control unit). Thanks to the way the radio sensors are positioned Side Assist can operate in bends with a radius of up to 170 metres. Side View Assist switches off automatically if roads are straight or if the radius of the bend exceeds 200 metres. The system also switches off when the tow-bar is in use. An icon in the multi-function display keeps drivers up-to-date with the latest status.

Side Assist warning lights are yellow. The light sensor of the automatic headlights system then adjusts the brightness of the display to the surrounding light conditions. Lights are bright enough to be noticed without blinding drivers in the dark. Drivers can also set the brightness of the light manually with their multi-function Plus display.