Mercedes-Benz has unveiled technology developments in its Vision Iconic concept car that could address key challenges facing EV manufacturers, including energy efficiency in autonomous systems and supplementary solar charging.
The automaker is developing a solar coating that can be applied to vehicle bodywork as a thin paste. The photovoltaic surface adapts to various substrates and does not contain rare earths or silicon, making it recyclable. According to Mercedes-Benz, an 11-square-meter application, equivalent to a mid-size SUV surface area, could generate energy for up to 12,000 kilometers annually under ideal conditions. The solar cells achieve 20 per cent efficiency and generate power continuously, even when the vehicle is switched off...
The concept incorporates neuromorphic computing, which mimics human brain functions to process artificial intelligence calculations. Mercedes-Benz is developing this technology with research and industry partners to address rising energy demands from autonomous driving features. The company claims neuromorphic computing could reduce energy requirements for autonomous driving data processing by 90 per cent compared to current systems. Safety systems using this technology could be ten times more efficient than existing systems while improving recognition of traffic signs, lanes, and other road users in poor visibility conditions.
