The F 500 Mind showcases the very latest technology
At the Tokyo Motor Show 2003, Mercedes-Benz presented the latest in a string of research vehicles which have attracted much interest and attention over the years and which provide fascinating insights into the automotive technology of tomorrow and beyond. Packaged as a modern four-door fastback saloon, the F 500 Mind mobile research lab showcases more than a dozen ideas for enhancing the safety, drive technology and comfort of future Mercedes passenger cars.
The DaimlerChrysler researchers will be using this vehicle to conduct the first practical tests of these innovative systems and pave the way for their commercialisation. The raft of innovations extends all the way from the night vision system with infrared laser headlamps to two-way doors and a programmable multivision display in the cockpit. Electronic accelerator and brake pedals, an interior pillar which provides structural rigidity and an ultrasound driver information system are further features being tested by Mercedes-Benz in the F 500 Mind.
For the powertrain, the DaimlerChrysler researchers have developed a high-performance diesel hybrid unit whose NEDC fuel consumption is up to 20 per cent lower than that of a comparable CDI engine. The state-of-the-art V8 diesel engine (184 kW/250 hp) from the S-Class has been combined with a powerful electric motor (50 kW) which is switched on and off by an electronic controller in response to traffic conditions and driving style. The electric motor can take over for example when moving off from rest, in stop-go conditions or in other situations where an internal combustion engine does not operate at optimal efficiency. When the driver demands more power, the V8 internal combustion engine cuts in to provide sharp acceleration. The 300 V battery for the electric motor is located under the passenger cell and is recharged during braking.
With a body length of 5092 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2965 mm, the F 500 Mind offers a significant gain in legroom in the rear compared with a conventional present-day saloon in this class. This was made possible by using innovative-design electronic accelerator and brake pedals which take the form of pressure-sensitive surfaces. Sensors in these “pedals” transmit the driver’s commands to the engine and SBCô brake system by means of electrical impulses. The technology takes up much less room than conventional mechanical pedals, increasing the length of the front footwell by 120 millimetres. The driver’s and front passenger’s seats can therefore be positioned further forward, so providing more space for the rear passengers. The steering, too, is controlled electronically.
Intelligent door-opening technology allows the doors to be opened in two different ways: either conventionally (both doors open forwards) or from the centre (centre-opening). In the latter mode, the B-pillar stump moves backwards with the rear door to provide a 1900 mm-wide opening for occupant entry and exit.
In the absence of full-size B-pillars, which would normally provide the all-important structural rigidity and side impact protection, the Stuttgart engineers came up with an innovative interior pillar which provides exemplary rigidity and typical Mercedes standards of occupant safety. The pillar is located in the middle of the vehicle towards the rear, and connects the reinforced floor pan to the roof structure. It also houses the air-conditioning ducts and interior lighting units.
The multivision display in the cockpit of the F 500 Mind forms the centrepiece of an innovative instrumentation and control system which offers the driver more flexible information delivery and at the same time reduces fatigue. The dials and displays in the instrument cluster are programmable and their images can be optically superposed or combined with the aid of a semitransparent mirror. In this way the driver can call up a wide range of information at the push of a button on the steering wheel. The information is always displayed directly in the driver’s field of vision where it can be seen easily and will not distract him. A further display, the central display unit, is situated above the centre console. It is linked to a touchpad whose surface is divided up in exactly the same way as the surface of the central display. By briefly touching it, the driver can control the navigation system, radio, air conditioning, telephone and other systems.
Further switches and keys in the vehicle are equipped with special sensors which can detect the driver’s approaching hand even at a distance of several centimetres. They then immediately call up the relevant function in the central display, for more convenient operation.
An advanced-design voice control system and an ultrasound-based driver information system take convenience even further. The ultrasound technology targets the sound at the driver so that only he or she can hear the information from the navigation system, the traffic news and other sound-based information sources, while the front passenger and rear passengers remain undisturbed.
In the dark or in poor visibility, the innovative night vision system projects its images onto the right-hand display. The night vision system consists of two infrared laser headlights on the front of the vehicle which “illuminate” the road with their invisible light over a range of up to 150 metres. The light reflected back from other vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians to a camera mounted on the front windscreen of the F 500 Mind is projected in black and white onto the multivision display. This allows the driver to spot hazards much earlier than in a vehicle operating on conventional dipped headlamps, which have a range of only about 40 metres. Thus Night Vision offers further opportunities for making night driving safer.
As a mobile research lab, the F 500 Mind is equipped with a special “laboratory bench” which folds out towards the rear. This allows a researcher sitting in the back of the vehicle to monitor and control the vehicle systems during testing on the proving grounds and to carry out measurements. For example the researchers are planning to use this fascinating vehicle for intensive user acceptance-testing of the innovative instrumentation and control system and for further practical testing of the diesel hybrid drive system and the Night Vision system.
April 16th, 2008 at 5:19 am
I love the idea of this car it looks amazing and i hope in the future all cars will look as futuristic it will be so cool hope this gets made and sold properly one day good luck with it. I certainly will buy one
April 18th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I so want this car!!!!! I probably can’t afford it though
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
A very interresting design. still holds the essece and looks of mercedes benz. Design and layout thought out properly. Tradition still holds its place in the future. Well done to the design team, maybe I might come join you.
May 8th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Well Well,
As an admirer of Mercedes Benz I am glad to see the design team have done a fantastic job once again. Many of my friends and family prefer BMW and in recent times I almost started to agree with them. However, the latest C, CL and S Class have beat BMW’s rivals in my opinion. And now looking at what the future holds, I am sure Mercedes Benz will continue to lead.
Well Done to all of the Team!!
May 18th, 2008 at 6:19 am
looks good, great features. but lacks safety aspects. what do you think?
bottom line> simply too good interior.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Looks good front, it still have the Mercedes falily face. the back side of the car didn’t keep too much of the Mercedes Benz styile. When I look the front even you can’t see the car enbulope, but I can tell it is Benz, then if you see back side this car you probely think its a Japanese concept car, I’m very happy about this designer keeped about 55% of the Mercedes look!!! if I get chance to design this car I would like to change little in side, and do a biggggggg change on back side of this car!!!!! I love Mercede Benz, I would like to see more of the Mercedes concept cars with the spacil Mercedes style on!!!!!!
October 21st, 2008 at 7:31 am
its amazing
October 30th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
this car is very shmexy
November 11th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Bravo! we are looking at the future thanks to you guys.am gonna get me one of those!
December 6th, 2008 at 3:10 am
well done guys.
December 24th, 2008 at 4:08 am
it is amazing. i love it……….
January 8th, 2009 at 11:43 am
VERY IMPRESSIVE BODY OF THE CARS I LIKE IT
January 13th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
well done gays, all who gave an idea for it, and who changes the ideas into realty, i realy very inspired, they way it look like and the way it will work, may my mighty Allah gave u guys more and more success to give more and more best cars to the beautiful and peaceful society.
best regards with best wishes
Arif Ullah Khan marwat
0092-301-2621321
karachi Pakistan
January 28th, 2009 at 9:03 am
This car is tight i would save up money for life to buy this car, i would live in it if need be.
January 29th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
It’s bad solution to open the doors like this position, so about the Accekerator mode, isn’t nice i think the old mode is more feeling to acceleration motor. about this car i this it’s can be used just for natural used cars .
February 6th, 2009 at 2:44 am
Lousy design, its not so manly. It was like the car was driven by a robot. eg. ‘total recall” though the interior design is amazing
February 7th, 2009 at 9:29 am
i would, if i can, save to buy this car
February 20th, 2009 at 7:01 am
this is very intresting …we sre going to future…..
December 18th, 2009 at 10:02 am
i like this car but i want not this car, hmm i like sports cars.
January 3rd, 2010 at 2:18 am
he is very good
February 12th, 2010 at 6:05 am
OH I LIKED IT CAUSE ITS SUPERB.FOR SURE TECHNOLOGY HAS GONE FAR!!!!
February 25th, 2010 at 4:52 am
whats the price of it tell me plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:53 am
I is very interesting technology,we real need it
March 5th, 2010 at 2:50 am
I REALLY LOVE THOSE TECHNOLOGICAL CARS
March 5th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Hmmm the doors are weired! The interior is quite facinating,i like the comfort.It looks safe but can’t trust it yet.