1. In-house research for the benefit of the customer
2. The 1973 oil crisis
3. The integrated technology group
4. Back to the core business

Back to the core business

In the mid-1990s it became obvious that the vision of the integrated technology group could not realized as originally planned. The company swung back to its original core business – the manufacture of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. As a result, Weule’s changed task was now to refocus the broad research activities, ranging from office automation through automotive technology to aerospace technology, on the automobile. When Weule returned to a university career at the end of 1996, Klaus-Dieter Vöhringer took over and gave the divi-sion a new name: “Research & Technology”. Vöhringer carried on the focusing of research on the core business, and he introduced compre-hensive, efficient project management to the division, while at the same time establishing open communication structures. Vöhringer also created an “Innovation Calendar” with a time horizon extending 15 years into the future and listing all foreseeable product innovations.

Thomas Weber was appointed member of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG responsible for the Research & Technology division on January 1, 2003. He stepped onto the scene at a time of major challenges. For example, Mercedes-Benz was in the midst of its second major strategic product drive. Also, the motor vehicle market in the entire world was going through unprecedented upheavals which made ever more exacting demands on automotive development and production. And last but not least, the topic of electronics in the motor vehicle was gaining great urgency – after years of euphoria it was necessary to adopt a pragmatic approach in this respect.

Weber initiated the “RT-FIT” (Research & Technology/Future – Innovation – Technology) improvement program which affected some 3,000 Research employees throughout the world. Among other things, it was a question of expediting the transfer of research results to production.

In early 2004, in addition to being head of DaimlerChrysler Corporate Research, Weber took over the management of the Development unit of the Mercedes Car Group (MCG). The new division was called “Group Research & MCG Development.” Its task as the research competence center of the entire Group remained unchanged. In a sense, this organizational structure restored the condition that existed in the beginning under Hans Scherenberg and for many years after: Research and Development in one hand – but with distinctive differences. The greatly changed company now has several brands, all of which can call on the Research division headed by a member of the Board of Management. However, the latter is simultaneously responsible for the Development unit of the Mercedes Car Group – which, in turn, obviously plays an exceptional role where technology input is concerned, and is also the biggest customer for Research.

The Group has defined three major fields in which Research is to take the initiative:

• Energy for the future: An integral approach to the automobile of tomorrow – how will it be powered?
  Objective: Propulsion system and fuel concepts.
  
  
• The Vision of Accident-free Driving: The primary strategic objective of safety for the benefit of mankind is not only a core value of Mercedes-Benz but also of the other brands, in differing degrees.
  Objective: Systems that enhance traffic safety.
  
  
• Visions for tomorrow’s cars: What will the automobile of the future look like? Will it still have (four) wheels?
  Objective: Future-oriented vehicle concepts.
  

These three fields cover the major assignments of DaimlerChrysler Research – with a bandwidth that is quite unique on a global scale. It is therefore not surprising that Research can look back on more than 30 years of success. It is not least with the support of in-house research that the Mercedes-Benz brand is able to defend its innovative leader-ship – for the benefit of the customer.

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Powerful thrust: A hot-water rocket was used to accelerate the cars in crash tests through to the 1960s. The rocket was detached from the rear of the car before the latter hit an obstacle.


Evasive action: The anti-lock braking system retains the vehicle’s full steerability even during an emergency braking maneuver. Mercedes-Benz presented the system for passenger cars in 1978.


Accident testing for the sake of safety: Daimler-Benz started regular crash testing in the 1950s.


Trendsetter: Daimler-Benz Research looked into hydrogen propulsion at an early stage. The photo shows an L 307 van from 1975.


Perfect world: In the driving simulator of DaimlerChrysler, the driver is shown an artificial but highly detailed picture of the world through which he or she moves on a virtual trip.


Reality incorporated: The driving simulator of DaimlerChrysler accommodates a complete vehicle, while the simulator housing itself moves in three-dimensional space, controlled by a computer.


The power of electricity: In 1995, Daimler-Benz researchers once again tested electric propulsion, for instance in a Mercedes-Benz C-Class and in a Sprinter.


The power of electricity: In 1995, Daimler-Benz researchers once again tested electric propulsion, for instance in a Mercedes-Benz C-Class and in a Sprinter.


Finding one’s destination with the help of a computer: Among other things, the Prometheus project team developed an electronic road map.


The power of electricity: In 1995, Daimler-Benz researchers once again tested electric propulsion, for instance in a Mercedes-Benz C-Class and in a Sprinter.


Alternative propulsion systems: In 1994, a bus powered by natural gas started trial operation in everyday service. The photo shows the gas tanks on the roof, with the cladding removed.


Alternative propulsion systems: In 1994, a bus powered by natural gas started trial operation in everyday service.


Promising technology: A Mercedes-Benz van with fuel cell propulsion from the year 1994.


Perfectly guided: The destination-finding computer developed within the framework of the Prometheus research project was a precursor of modern navigation systems.


Airbag testing in 2004: A Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W 220 series) hitting an A-Class (W 169 series).


Sensitive instruments: The Vision A research car, a precursor of the A-Class, in the hall where the electromagnetic compatibility of all components is tested.


Environmental compatibility to the fore: Hydrogen-powered Mercedes-Benz vehicles from the year 1991.


Environmental compatibility to the fore: Hydrogen-powered Mercedes-Benz vehicles from the year 1991.


Low wind resistance: All vehicles are tested in the wind tunnel.


New technologies: In the Prometheus research project, electronic systems were integrated in the car to support the driver.


Approaching the Vision of Accident-free Driving: An autonomous intelligent cruise control system was tested within the framework of the Prometheus research project.


The world’s first navigation system: The destination-finding system of Daimler-Benz from the year 1987. In terms of precision, it was eventually surpassed by satellite-based systems introduced at a later stage.


The world’s first navigation system: The destination-finding system of Daimler-Benz from the year 1987. In terms of precision, it was eventually surpassed by satellite-based systems introduced at a later stage.


Realistic surroundings: The driving simulator of Daimler-Benz AG excellently simulates real-world traffic conditions.


Intelligence for long journeys: The trip computer from the research laboratories of Daimler-Benz from the year 1984.


Intelligence for long journeys: The trip computer from the research laboratories of Daimler-Benz from the year 1984.


Tomorrow’s car on the move: The Auto 2000 research car, shown here in operation in 1982. Among other things, it served the purpose of testing different propulsion technologies.


Research for local public transport: In 1981, Mercedes-Benz provided several buses for trial operation, i.e. buses which either derived electricity from overhead cables or were capable of operating autonomously with a diesel engine – depending on the conditions of the town concerned.


Well-founded research: The Mercedes-Benz fleet of vehicles with alternative propulsion systems, based for instance in liquefied gas, methanol and hydrogen.


Flexible rail transport: The track-guided bus project combined the advantages of rail-bound means of transport with the freedom of the road – to which the track-guided bus can change where and when required. This technology was tested in Essen, Germany, and other cities around the world.


Anticipatory research: Daimler-Benz AG engaged in research on hydrogen propulsion at an early stage – the photo shows test vehicles from the year 1979.


Commercial vehicles included: After the world premiere in passenger cars in 1978, Mercedes-Benz presented the anti-lock braking system in a touring coach in 1979.


Controlled explosion: The airbag unfolds and reaches its full size and protective effect within milliseconds.


Flexible rail transport: The track-guided bus project combined the advantages of rail-bound means of transport with the freedom of the road – to which the track-guided bus can change where and when required. This technology was tested in Essen, Germany, and other cities around the world.


Protective air cushion: The airbag, developed by Daimler-Benz, shown here in an S-Class car from the W 221 series from 2005.

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