Rescue Assist App

The folks at Mercedes-Benz stepped up the game again.  A couple years ago Mercedes-Benz added QR codes in two locations of the vehicles that can be scanned with a smart and useful information for rescuers was displayed on the screen.  The Rescue Assist App developed by Mercedes-Benz provides emergency services at the scene of an accident quick access to the rescue cards for the various types of vehicle via a smartphone or tablet.  What really stands out is the new update supplies three-dimensional views as well as augmented reality imagery.

The updated app is a repository of rescue cards for all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and vans, as well as for some models from Fuso, one of Daimler Trucks’ commercial vehicle brands. The digital rescue data sheets can often be an invaluable source of information, helping the emergency services to free passengers quickly and safety from vehicles that have been involved in accidents. The rescue cards show an overview of safety-critical components such as airbags, batteries and fuel lines. In the case of electric and hybrid vehicles they also show all high-voltage components. With the help of the three-dimensional views, rescue teams are able to work out even more quickly the best and safest place to apply cutters. The 3D-models can be freely rotated and scaled up or down within the app. Augmented reality images bring further benefits: all the components of the vehicle are rendered in precise, photorealistic detail in images that, to a wide extent, reflect what can be seen of the actual damaged vehicle – a great advantage for the rescue services at the scene of the accident.

Mercedes-Benz Rescue Assist App

A further advantage of the Mercedes-Benz Rescue Assist App is that it is not necessary to have online access. The app also functions offline, thus ensuring that no time is lost during a rescue. Every new Mercedes-Benz, smart and Fuso is fitted as standard with two QR codes, affixed in a clearly visible position on the B-pillars and inside the fuel filler flap. As soon as the QR code is scanned with the camera of the smartphone or tablet, the relevant rescue card will open up in the Rescue Assist App. Owners of older vehicles can arrange for the appropriate QR code to be retrofitted by their Mercedes-Benz Service Partner.

The Rescue Assist App includes details of all Mercedes-Benz passenger car models built since 1990, along with Mercedes-Benz vans since 1996 and all smart models built since 1998. On the commercial vehicle front, Fuso Canter 467 models from the year 2005 onwards and Canter 468 from 2013 are also included. The app, which is constantly being updated, is available in 24 languages for both iOS and Android devices. It can be downloaded free of charge.

Currently, the App is only available in the app store in Germany. I contacted the folks at Mercedes-Benz and they told me the app will be demoed at this year’s Commercial Vehicles IAA in Hannover.  The IAA will start on September 22^nd and hopefully the app will be available at the same time.  However, introduction of the App within the U.S. might be a little later.  We will keep you posted.