Mercedes-Benz is experimenting with this very scenario at their R&D facility in Palo Alto.

Using a smart intersection, the light essentially communicates with the car. And if the driver still isn't responsive to, say, brake after several warnings of a red light, the car can stop itself. (Start the clip around 50 seconds in for the full demo.)

Mercedes-Benz admits that, though the technology is "almost there," we're still a decade out from its deployment. After all, every stoplight in America would need an upgrade to smart intersection status (for which there are no agreed standards). Plus, given that these intersections would cost money that would surely be lost through less tickets, it's hard to imagine where the money will come from.

So what do you think? Is this a handy safety feature or a limit on our human rights to break the law? [BBG]

Amazingly enough, the system worked flawlessly in Jalopnik's test. The savings in speed tickets alone means that this car will pay for itself in time. Well...maybe not. Hit up Jalopnik to get the full test-drive details. [Jalopnik]

• Off-board navigation: The GPS is constantly updated, from the maps to the points of interests. It also has a satellite overview and the search language is open: you can write directions without having to follow a format. It looks like the are plugging into Google Maps for this one, although I'm not sure how well the writing will work using their navigation knob.

• Trip assist: This part is quite nice, grabbing information pertaining your planned trip from different web sources and presenting it in a useful manner. You can, for example, see the weather forecast for the trip, as well as giving you the possibility to make hotel and restaurants reservations from the system itself.

• World radio: Instead of using a normal radio, this one plugs into the web to access all the stations available. The menu gives the possibility to access radio via genre. More interesting is the idea of storing your music in a web server and accessing it through the system directly, without the need to connect an digital music player or storing things locally.

• Internet telephony: It has support for voice over IP systems like Skype.

• Web browser: They also include a web browser, in case you need to get more information than the one provided with the thin clients above.

• YouTube: For huh... hmmm. Some reason.

The navigation knob, which looks similar to the Powermate, is simpler than the iDrive 4.0. Our Jalopnik comrades will have to try it to see if their user interface approach is better or not. [Mercedes Benz]

Mercedes-Benz Formula Zero
Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Center of North America

Luxury racing arrives in the Formula Zero Racer by incorporating the thrill of Formula One, the track dynamics of the bobsled or luge, and the grace and efficiency of yacht racing.

Reminiscent of the Mercedes Benz racing heritage of the 1930’s, the Formula Zero Racer is loaded with technology designed to extract the maximum thrust from the electric hub motors, aero-efficient solar skin and high-tech rigid sail.

Each team is allocated the same amount of stored energy and it is left to the teams and drivers to manage the variables to win the race. The winner is determined by total elapsed time combined with the energy efficiency factor.

Spectators at the Mercedes Benz Formula Zero racing Series are treated to a new dimension of racing as the transparent track is visible from all perspectives - even from below!

Designers:
Alan Barrington
George Yoo
Kevin Verduyn

[LA Design Challenge Motorsports 2025]

New cradle allowing full integration into the vehicle architecture: Mercedes-Benz makes in-car iPhone® connection even easier

Stuttgart - Whether it be a quick call to a business colleague for an important discussion, listening to favourite music tracks or checking home and office e-mails whilst on the move - the Apple iPhone® is a leading-edge business tool with multimedia capability, available in Germany and other markets. Now Mercedes-Benz allows the iPhone® connection to be fully integrated into the vehicle architecture for the first time - once again pointing the way ahead for the automotive industry. The new Apple iPhone® cradle allows simple switching between the telephone and audio functions. What's more, thanks to the location of the cradle in the centre console, the iPhone® is within easy reach of both the driver and the front passenger. For ease of use, the iPhone® is controlled via the multifunction steering wheel, while the vehicle display is used to indicate the phone status or music functions and information such as the track title and artist.

Over 100,000 people in Germanyhave already purchased an iPhone® - made by US electronics giant Apple - since its launch in November 2007. By introducing the new cradle for the Apple iPhone®, Mercedes-Benz has made it even easier to enjoy the special benefits of this trend-setting multimedia application, even when on the move in the car. This fully integrated solution - the first of its kind - enables either the phone functions or the audio functions on the iPhone® to be activated. As ever, the device is easy to use thanks to the controls on the multi-function steering wheel, all of which enhances road safety, as the driver's hands remain on the steering wheel, leaving them free to concentrate on the traffic and the other controls in the cockpit.

Perfect reception is assured as the iPhone® connects to the vehicle aerial automatically when inserted into the cradle. A further advantage is the automatic recharging of the iPhone® battery whilst the phone is sitting in the cradle.

This function means that the iPhone® stays fully charged, which is ideal if the user has to leave the vehicle.

New design to influence the style of further cradles

As well as impressing on a technical level, the Apple iPhone® cradle's exclusive design allows it to be integrated seamlessly into the interior of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The all-new design is based on a black-and-silver colour scheme that adds hallmark Mercedes-Benz touches. The leading-edge design will be used in future cradles for mobile phones available from Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH.

The iPhone® cradle can be inserted into the centre console - where it is within easy reach of both the driver and the front passenger - with a single click and without the need for any tools whatsoever. The portable device is therefore easy to plug in and unplug.Optional convenience telephony (Order Code 386) must also be specified. The cradle connects to the audio system either via the optionally available Media Interface or the retrofittable iPod®Interface Kit available from the range of genuine accessories. Both variants use an integral adapter lead that has to be installed by a specialist workshop, ensuring an ideal connection between the cradle and the Media Interface or iPod® Interface.

The fully integrated iPhone® is available now for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E‑Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class, S-Class, CL-Class, SL-Class, M-Class and R-Class. The product will also be offered for the new GLK-Class when this model is launched in October. In Germany, the Apple iPhone® cradle retails at € 249 (including VAT) and is obtainable from all Mercedes-Benz dealers.

The adapter leads for the Media Interface or iPod® Interface are available for € 39 (including VAT) in Germany.

[eMercedesBenz]

Current hybrid vehicles use nickel-metal hydride batteries, but the lithium-ion alternatives are known to offer greater efficiency, as well as a better overall weight-to-power ratio. The problem with integrating the Li-ion technology was in securing their stability—they became far too hot to be a viable option in a hybrid vehicle. Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz has 25 patents it is confident solves the dilemma of battery overheating, whether they stay on target for 2009 is another matter, but we certainly wouldn't doubt them. (N.B. The model pictured is the standard petrol engine S400. Images of the BlueHybrid have not been released as yet.)[CNET]

Although we're not too sure what they're smoking over there in Germany, because in one of the other videos they claim the old way of getting directions into your car was by printing them out and handing them to your Golden Retriever, who lovingly tapes them to the car's dashboard. [Mercedes]

Recy-ycle: The LA Design Challenge [Jalopnik via Treehugger]

This sexy, sexy beast is the Carbon Bike from Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH, the star of their 2006 Bike Collection. While this is their very first racing bike, the use of carbon fiber in vehicle shells isn't new to Mercedes-Benz—the McLaren Mercedes F1 cars of Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya heavily incorporate it, and their SLR McLaren is the world's first production car with a body shell made entirely of it. The Carbon Bike weighs in at an amazingly light 8.3 kilograms, comes with components from famed Japanese manufacturer Shimano, a €2990/$3665 pricetag and in a limited edition of 1999.

The first carbon racing bike from Mercedes-Benz [gizmag]
Mercedes-Benz 2006 Bike Collection [WorldCarFans.com]

Product Page

In the market for a super-expensive car but just can't decide which beauty to purchase? It's tough, I know. But you may want to take a quick look-see at the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, which'll be out in February, equipped with all kinds of seriously geeky shit. An onboard radar system, automated acceleration and braking controls, and a night-vision display are just a few of the tech-related devices you'll find onboard, and the distance control feature is the first that can maintain distances between cars at a set speed. Add to this accelerated airbag deployment, and what more could you ask for? Except some extra cash to buy the car, of course.

The Ultimate Geek Car? [Wired]

XM Satellite may be in bed with GM but Sirius has gone high-end with their partnerships. At least until 2012. Sirius has now extended its exclusive agreement to provide Mercedes-Benz with Sirius satellite radio as a standard feature, beginning with 2007 model year vehicles (coming out this year). Unfortunately, you'll only be able to get the service with 2007 year SL-Class and CL-Class vehicles, and all AMG and 600 model vehicles at first.

Mercedes-Benz also plans to extend the number of models with SIRIUS as a standard feature in the future. SIRIUS is available as either standard equipment or a factory option on Mercedes-Benz vehicles, with volumes expected at 250,000 vehicles over the next two years, a figure representing approximately 50% of Mercedes-Benz sales.

The subscription rate is bundled as part of the feature.

Prices for Sirius satellite radio receivers (no Benz attached) [Amazon]