A world without traffic accidents – ambitious, but not unrealistic.
Dr. Boris Mergell, Executive Board member and Head of the Safety and Motion business area at AUMOVIO, explains which technologies are already saving lives today and what comes next.
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Vision Zero: When zero is the only acceptable goal
Boris, “Vision Zero” sounds like an ideal world. Around 1.19 million people still lose their lives in road traffic every year. How can this vision become a reality?
This is a big task, and we need a collective effort to make the vision a reality. Road safety is a collective effort involving industry, legislation, research institutions, and organizations like New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) worldwide. What matters most is having a clear goal and consistently working toward it. At AUMOVIO, Vision Zero is firmly embedded in our strategy, reflected in our products, our R&D activities, and our strategic partnerships.
Without technological solutions, global accident statistics would likely look far worse. Which technologies are already saving lives today?
AUMOVIO has decades of experience in making mobility safer. While the number of road fatalities is still alarming, it has been significantly reduced over the past decades. A great example is the anti-lock braking system (ABS), which we introduced 57 years ago. At the IAA in Frankfurt in 1969, we presented ABS as a world first. Its core principle - preventing wheel locks during hard braking, so drivers maintain control - remains one of the most important innovations in automotive safety, alongside seatbelts and airbags.
AUMOVIO has developed many additional driver assistance systems since then. Which one would you highlight next?
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) has had a similar transformative impact. It helps prevent vehicles from skidding in critical situations. But in reality, it’s the combination of systems that makes the difference – whether it’s emergency braking, blind spot detection, or lane keeping assistance. Safety gains are achieved through intelligent interaction. Passive systems like seatbelt pre-tensioners work hand in hand with active systems like emergency braking. It’s always about a chain reaction: detecting a hazard, deciding in real time, and immediately acting.
Can you give an example of how that works in practice?
Just as Vision Zero requires collaboration across stakeholders, true safety depends on the seamless interaction of all available technologies. If a front sensor detects an imminent collision, multiple safety functions are activated in milliseconds. Seatbelt pre-tensioners secure occupants: the vehicle begins braking automatically, windows may close, and airbags are prepared for deployment. If the collision cannot be avoided, the airbags will deploy.
Despite these systems, accidents still happen. Which technologies have the greatest potential to go forward?
We see strong potential in enhancing existing active and passive safety systems: improving sensor range and resolution, for example, makes detection even more reliable. At the same time, the protection of vulnerable road users - such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists - offer significant opportunities. One example is our pedestrian protection system (PPS) detecting an impact and activating the actuators of the hood of the vehicle, which is lifted to reduce the severity of injuries.
AUMOVIO is also known for its display solutions and head-up displays. Why are these products also important for safety?
Because intuitive interaction is key. Drivers need to access relevant information quickly and without distraction. Our focus is on delivering an intuitive user experience that presents information clearly and at the right moment. In practical terms, this means a smart cockpit is designed around the driver.
Our head-up displays, for example, keep the driver’s eyes on the road by projecting information directly into the line of sight. And our displays solutions with integrated cameras allow continuous monitoring of driver distraction and drowsiness. Therefore, these products also contribute to our Vision Zero.
Many of these achievements are seen primarily in developed markets. The situation in emerging markets can be more challenging.
That’s absolutely true. Our internal accident research shows that traffic patterns differ significantly from region to region.
Emerging markets face very different challenges. For example, in many Asian countries, motorcycle accidents are far more common than in Europe or North America. That’s why it is essential to tailor safety systems to regional needs.
Can you give a concrete example?
We identified that a compact ABS for powered two-wheelers is particularly effective for many Asian markets. This ranges from low-cost single-channel ABS for entry level motorcycles to advanced two-channel ABS for premium motorcycles offering a variety of features and functions.
More broadly, we take a modular and scalable approach, allowing us to deliver the right solution for each region, vehicle-class, and application. This ranges from different variants of airbag control units to low-speed emergency braking systems for urban environments.
What ultimately drives your work on Vision Zero?
Safety is a fundamental human need. Every prevented accident matters. Technology can compensate for human error; it doesn’t get distracted or tired.
Our goal is clear: to make mobility safer and give people confidence that they can get from A to B safely anywhere in the world.
