Thomas Weber, DaimlerChrysler’s director of research, has revealed that Mercedes-Benz will be the first manufacturer to introduce radar systems to its current range in mid-2005.

Long and short-range radar detectors will create a ‘protective electronic envelope’ around the car to aid collision avoidance.

DaimlerChrysler took part in an automotive radar research programme alongside BMW, VW, Bosch and Siemens VDO Automotive as a member of the short range automotive radar frequency allocation consortium which sought authorisation from the EU to use frequencies already in use by weather monitoring systems.