2011 Mercedes CL-Class debuts new active braking system

If you're rich, and you can't drive, Mercedes has the perfect car for you. It's called the 2011 CL Class.

This big Benz débuts Mercedes' latest Active Safety technology, which uses a windscreen-mounted camera, close-range radar sensors, and a very advanced computer to recognize lane markings, pedestrians, and other cars,

Called Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Active Blind Spot Assist. The two systems can activate the brakes™if the car thinks you're about to have a crash.

So, for $150,000 US dollars, you get a car that is sort of like a big robot™that keeps you from having a crash.

The Active Lane Keeping Assist uses a computer to analyse images captured by the camera in the windscreen. The car processes the data, and is able to recognize its own proximity to lane markings.

If your CL-Bot catches you drifting from your lane, it activates an electric motor in the steering wheel, which then vibrates a 'rumble strip' effect. If you don't respond, your CL-Bot will gently apply the brakes on the opposite side of the car, to bring itself back into the proper lane.

If that's not enough Sci-Fi for you, the CL-Class has another Active feature up its cuff linked sleeve. This one's called Active Blind Spot Assist.

Using side mounted close-range radar sensors, the 2011 Mercedes CL recognizes other vehicles within a close proximity itself. If it thinks that you're getting to close, it illuminates a yellow light in the appropriate side mirror. If you don't correct your path, the yellow light turns red, and the car activates an audible alert.

If the CL-Bot thinks that you're about to crash, it intervenes by activating the brakes on the opposite side of the car, rather abruptly. That way, the car can return itself to the proper lane.

Both systems use the car's Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to maintain control during an emergency situation.

On sale this fall, this new Mercedes CL-Class is™in a league of its own.