Mercedes 1999 Annual Report Download - page 59

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RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
53
DaimlerChrysler’s central Research and Technology department is responsible for integrated
innovation and technology management. It supports the business units in the development
‚of technology strategies and establishes the technological basis for innovative products and
processes. Research and Technology’s success is measured by the extent to which its
achievements can be transferred into the development, production, sales and marketing
activities of the business units.
SEVEN CORE FIELDS OF TECHNOLOGY.
Four megatrends
will determine the future of technology at DaimlerChrysler:
the demand for sustainable mobility; the use of closed
production processes and customized materials; increasing
global networking; and new functions based on electronics.
To harness these megatrends, Research and Technology
focuses on seven technology fields: Drive technologies;
vehicle concepts; production technology; materials research;
traffic research and telematics; information and communica-
tions technology; electronics, mechatronics and control
technologies.
In 1999 we made great progress with:
NEW CERAMIC MATERIALS TO REDUCE WEAR.
A brake that
is lighter, more comfortable to use, and doesn’t rust — our
engineers have turned this concept into reality with a new
fiber-reinforced ceramic brake disk. A true “brake for life,“
the so-called “CMC” brake can operate reliably throughout
the entire service life of a road vehicle, aircraft or rail vehicle.
CMC brake disks for wheels and axles have already demon-
strated their potential in tests with ICE high-speed trains.
The new disk has also proved itself in tests with motor vehi-
cles. Following successful stationary and vehicle tests, we
are now working with the vehicle development departments
to get this new technology ready for series production.
LIGHTWEIGHT SEATS FOR SERIES PRODUCTION.
A new
bucket seat concept that uses carbon fiber composites will
enable lightweight bucket seat design from the world of motor
sports to deliver the comfort of traditional seats for the first
time. A key feature is an adjustable seat back made possible by
installing a joint that is both flexible and torsionally stiff
between the seat bottom and seat back. This innovative seat is
the product of intelligent component and sophisticated
materials design.
SOFTWARE THAT PROVIDES COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES.
Automotive electronics software is becoming increasingly
important. At the same time, sales and marketing software
systems tailored to the needs of customers and dealers are
providing our company with a distinct competitive advan-
tage. To further promote these areas, DaimlerChrysler
Research launched an innovation campaign in software
engineering in 1999. Together with the development
departments at the passenger cars divisions and the central
Sales and Marketing department, it established so-called “Soft-
ware Experience Centers.” Although such centers operate
independently and have their own resources, they are also
closely integrated with ongoing development projects. The
result is an extensive exchange of knowledge and experience
in software development and software quality management.
Software must be systematically tested if the highest
standards of quality are to be ensured. To significantly
reduce testing costs, we developed a model-based test for
control algorithms and a fully automatic test on the basis of
evolutionary algorithms. These new procedures, which we
introduced last year, yielded substantial improvements in
the methodology and automation of software testing.
LONGER-RANGE BATTERY-DRIVEN VEHICLES.
Along with the
development of fuel cell drives (see p. 13), we continue to
move forward on battery-driven vehicles. The Electric
Powered Interurban Commuter (EPIC) — an electric vehicle
based on the Chrysler Voyager — has been equipped with a
lithium ion battery, replacing the nickel metal hydride battery
used previously. This will not only improve power and energy
density significantly; it will also increase the vehicle’s range
and reduce costs. The project is one of the first to combine
technological expertise from Auburn Hills and Stuttgart, and
exemplifies the successful cooperation between our research
departments.
ENHANCING NIGHT VISION.
The high beams are on, yet
drivers on the other side of the highway are not blinded by
the light. Thanks to a new night-vision system developed by
our engineers, this could soon become a reality. The optical-
electronic system, which uses an infrared diode as a source
of light, enhances vision at night and in bad weather.
Working in cooperation with EvoBus, the system has been
installed in a test bus, with extremely good results. The laser
headlight illuminates the road up to 500 feet ahead — more
than three times the distance achieved by a conventional low
beam headlight.