From infotainment systems to driver behaviour predictions, the auto industry gets an accelerated upgrade
We live in an age where cars are packed with tech upgrades. In the highly competitive world of luxury automobiles, it's all about the additional features—infotainment systems, intuitive tech, driver behaviour predictions, automated and personalised comfort. Our deep dive into three of the most tech-forward machines in the market: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Audi A8, and the Lexus LS highlight how these luxury sedans are really super-computers on wheels.
Driving assistance
While most luxury sedans are chauffeur-driven, they also focus on driver convenience and ease. The 2021 Mercedes S-Class receives a Drive Pilot feature that incorporates 22 sensors and cameras all around the vehicle. The data, from here, is sent to a processor that analyses situations 1,000 times per second and adapts the suspension accordingly. As a result, the driver is well-equipped to deal with other vehicles, road signs, pedestrians and cyclists in his/her periphery.
The Audi A8s offers Level 3 autonomous driving capability to reduce driver distractions and include predictive suspension to make combating uneven roads easier. The infotainment system has a screen with haptic feedback so that drivers can keep their eyes on the road more often than on the screen. Lexus's Advanced Drive feature in the LS is designed to help drivers plan acceleration, braking, and lane changes basis its study of the environment.
Face and gesture recognition
The S-Class offers touch sensors within the cabin and on the steering wheel. The eye-tracking and facial recognition cameras ensure the driver is attentive. It constantly prompts and alerts drivers whenever it detects drowsiness or distraction, which can be life-saving. It also keeps a watch on the speed limit signs zooming by, limiting the vehicle's speed to match the regulations.
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The Audi A8 offers plush leather front seats with 22-way adjustments, heating, ventilation and massage functions
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The Audi A8 offers Level 3 autonomous driving capability to reduce driver distractions
Lane assist
All three cars offer unprecedented Lane Assist capabilities. While this is viewed as a standard feature these days, each of them has evolved the dynamism of these systems. You can flip on the blinker on the S-Class while in cruise control, and the S-Class checks for cars in a neighbouring lane before switching over smoothly.
Smart suspension
Audi's A8 has been designed for ultimate passenger comfort, and suspension plays a significant role in this. The brand's predictive active suspension uses an army of sensors to scan the road for ditches or bumps and lifts by two inches to absorb a possible impact. Likewise, the Adaptive Variable Suspension on the Lexus LS is supported by thicker seats and engine mounts to offer a smooth drive. The suspension in the S-Class lifts the car by three inches in a few tenths of a second to avoid a bump.
Voice recognition
"Hey, Mercedes" is now the automotive equivalent of 'Alexa'. The natural language voice recognition system is nearly flawless in the S-Class. It can control temperature, start a wellness program, change the lighting, make calls, or even trigger a massage. The MBUX AI cockpit system connects seamlessly with your smart home and can automate things like preparing a cup of coffee or the shower just before you reach home.
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The Lexus LS offers four-zone climate control
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Lexus's Advanced Drive feature in the LS is designed to help drivers plan acceleration, braking and lane change basis its study of the environment
Martin Schwenk, CEO of Mercedes Benz India, refers to this as the 'social network' for Mercedes-Benz cars. "Car-to-X communication enables Mercedes-Benz cars to talk to each other, increasing customer safety convenience in real-time and, with cloud-based Mercedes Me Connect technology."
Audi's next-generation MMI connects wireless to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offers smarter route guidance, better voice commands with natural language processing, and wireless phone charging.
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The Mercedes-Benz S-Class can track the driver's eyes and understand where they are looking
Better visibility
The S-Class does well with its interior and exterior camera configurations. It can track the driver's eyes and understand where they are looking. If the driver takes their eyes off the road and looks at the dash, the dash displays the 3D rendition of the road ahead, so it is always within their view. The Audi A8 offers an updated, full-colour HUD that signals drivers about traffic signs and other driver assistance information. Both the S-Class and A8 come with interfaces powered by NVIDIA chips.
The Lexus LS offers a handy Advanced Park feature that enables hands-free parking by taking control of the steering, acceleration, braking, and gear changes when parallel parking or backing into a parking space. It uses a 360-degree sensing camera setup with ultrasonic sensors.
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