Mercedes-Benz are to ask drivers of their cars to submit radical new ideas for
future development. Devoid of inspiration themselves, the men in white coats
have been sitting around their canteen scratching their collective head in the
hope of dreaming up more useless innovations for the MB fleet.
After some weeks of scoffing biscuits and scribbling on napkins they've
decided to give up and just ask the customers what they want instead. The revolutionary new
idea is being implemented in a typically high tech manner. For a one-week period,
customers exchange their own cars for a research vehicle in which they maintain
contact with the scientists via a video and radio link.
The test drivers are to convey to the researches everything they notice in
everyday driving situations, in order to generate new ideas for assistance
systems, driver support functions and services. Five Mercedes-Benz E-Class
research vehicles have each been fitted with GPS, a hands-off telephone unit and
two video cameras.
British manufacturers are rumoured to be considering a similar scheme in
which drivers are provided with a paper and pencil.
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