Mercedes 'Car-to-X' tech warns drivers about potholes

The Car-to-X technology is said to have been developed and tested in-house by Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz introduced its 'Car-to-X' technology back in 2016 on the E-Class model. Now, the company has rolled out the technology on the new C-Class, S-Class and EQS models, while also introducing a new feature capable of detecting potholes and speed bumps.

As per Mercedes, the Car-to-X technology is activated when the chassis control unit of a car detects a pothole or speed bump. The information is then sent in real-time to the Mercedes-Benz cloud via a mobile phone network. The technology then informs all other Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles in the vicinity by displaying it on the navigational map via icons. Also, 10 seconds before the pothole, the car will provide an audible warning, while also visually highlighting the icon on the map.

The new C-Class, S-Class & EQS models will get an audible message saying 'Lookout, pothole' or 'Attention, speed bump'. Mercedes states that cars will need to have a 'Mercedes-Me' account, along with the activation and online availability of the Car-to-X communication.

The German luxury car brand has already rolled out the new alert system across select markets worldwide. The audible warnings are available in 36 different languages, recognised by the infotainment system.

The Car-to-X technology is said to have been developed and tested in-house by Mercedes-Benz. The company will be offering the new safety alert system free of cost across its models for the first three years, with the option of renewing it for a fixed fee thereafter.