MAN Truck & Bus says that with the introduction of SafeStop Assist, which detects driver inactivity, it is the only manufacturer to offer the driver assistance system for all new coach models. If the driver does not intervene despite visual, haptic and acoustic warnings, the system is designed to bring the bus safely to a standstill.
“It happens again and again that the driver is suddenly unable to act due to unforeseen events, such as medical emergencies. The consequences can be devastating,” says Head of Bus at MAN Truck & Bus Barbaros Oktay.
“Experience shows that it is not uncommon for buses and coaches to leave the road or collide with other road users in such cases.”
For this reason, MAN says it has been working intensively on the new assistance system, which is now available as an option for the MAN Lion’s Intercity, the MAN Lion’s Coach, the Neoplan Tourliner and the Neoplan Skyliner.
“No other manufacturer offers such a system for all current coach models. However, this is not the reason why it is one of the most important innovations of the 2024 model year, but rather because it can prevent serious accidents,” adds Heinz Kiess, MAN Head of Product Marketing for buses.
The system has been designed to recognise when the driver is no longer able to act and uses the driving activity recognition of an active lane guard system as well as the functionality of the adaptive cruise control. “All the data collected is bundled and evaluated. In this way, SafeStop Assist can deduce the status of driver activity, and thus also possible inactivity,” explains Heinz, adding: “Thanks to the intelligent interaction of various highly developed systems such as the attention guard, lane guard and emergency brake assistants, we have been able to increase safety for drivers, passengers and other road users enormously.”
