DaimlerChrysler showcased its 'the car of the future,' the Mercedes-Benz F 500 Mind, at a recent technology workshop.

The F 500 Mind, a concept car, is a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future and demonstrates DaimlerChrysler's technological know-how and its leadership in innovation.

The F 500 Mind's cockpit has a multi-vision display that takes centrestage with its in the cockpit of the F 500 Mind forms the centrepiece of an futuristic instrumentation and control system.

This system provides the driver with more information and helps reduce fatigue.

The instrument cluster's dials and displays can be programmed and their images can be optically superimposed or combined with the aid of a semitransparent mirror.

An advanced-design voice-operated 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.

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 up much less space than their conventional equivalents.

The steering, too, is controlled electronically.

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, and a camera on the windscreen.

This allows the driver to spot hazards much earlier than in a vehicle operating on conventional dipped headlamps. Thus Night Vision offers further opportunities for making night driving safer.

The drive system in the research vehicle is a state-of-the-art diesel hybrid unit with a total power output of 234 kW. In the European driving cycle it uses up to 20 per cent less fuel than a comparable CDI engine.

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 German 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 researchers at DaimlerChrysler are using their expertise, motivation and commitment to lay the foundation for innovations that will be used by tomorrow's customers.

These were the key insights garnered from the technology workshop, a daylong event which featured top researchers from DaimlerChrysler Germany like Dr Herbert Kohler, vice president, body and power train research, chief environmental officer, and Dr Bharat Balasubramanian, vice president, engineering technologies and regulatory affairs, at DaimlerChrysler AG.

The workshop offered participants an insight into visionary thinking. The car of tomorrow also offers a perspective on other focal points of DaimlerChrysler's research strategy- the vision of 'accident-free driving,' and initiatives to further develop alternative drives and energy sources.

The company's perspective on sustainable mobility that brings together areas as diverse as economics, environment and safety was another highlight of the workshop.

The workshop also highlighted how the company continues to make vehicles that not only offer driving pleasure and comfort, but also meets the highest standards of fuel efficiency and safety.

The Mercedes Benz F500 Mind. Photo: Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images