Mercedes-Benz’s pre-crash safety system introduced in 2002 was PRE-SAFE.
Mercedes introduced PRE-SAFE on the S-Class in 2002. Unlike a conventional airbag, which acts during a crash, PRE-SAFE tries to use the brief interval before an impact to prepare the occupants and the vehicle. It can respond to signals such as emergency braking, steering movement, yaw and lateral acceleration.
Early functions included tightening the seat belts, repositioning seats and closing the windows and sunroof. These measures were intended to place occupants in a safer position and help the restraint systems work more effectively if a collision followed. The system reflected Mercedes-Benz accident research showing that many crashes have a recognizable pre-impact phase.
PRE-SAFE is often confused with collision-warning or autonomous-braking systems. Those technologies primarily warn the driver or help avoid an impact; the original PRE-SAFE concept focused on reducing injury when a crash appeared likely. Mercedes later expanded it with radar-linked braking and additional protective features, but those later additions should not be confused with the name of the original system.