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Attention Assist, Function - GF54.30-P-0009GWM

Model 463 (except 463.342) as of Model year 2019 

Shown on Model 463 

G13658730Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Function requirements in general 

The CDI control unit or the ME-SFI [ME] control unit sends the "Engine running" or "Drive train operational" signal over the drive train CAN, drivetrain control unit and the suspension FlexRay to the Electronic Stability Program control unit.

ATTENTION ASSIST in general 

ATTENTION ASSIST is integrated into the Electronic Stability Program control unit. By evaluating steering patterns, any onset of driver fatigue (e.g. on long monotonous journeys on freeways and highways) can be detected. The steering patterns are evaluated within a vehicle speed range of v = 60 to 200 km/h. If indications of fatigue or an increasing lack of attention of the driver are detected, the driver is prompted to take a break by means of visual and acoustic warnings.

IMPORTANT Development of this software is based on experience gathered with test persons, whose different handling characteristics at night and day times were evaluated.

Function sequence for ATTENTION ASSIST 

ATTENTION ASSIST can be activated or deactivated using the control level in the head unit. The following options are available for navigating in the control menu:

The head unit sends the status of ATTENTION ASSIST over the user interface CAN, electronic ignition lock control unit and the chassis FlexRay to the Electronic Stability Program control unit.

The driver can select the following operating modes:

The selected operating mode is displayed in the instrument cluster; the head unit sends the status of ATTENTION ASSIST over the user interface CAN to the instrument cluster.

In the "Sensitive" operating mode, ATTENTION ASSIST reacts more sensitively and issues warning messages sooner than in "Standard" operating mode.

In the "Off" operating mode, the emission of warnings is suppressed and no additional displays are output.

IMPORTANT "Last-turned-on mode":

If "Standard" or "Sensitive" operating mode was selected before an ignition cycle, this mode is activated again after the next ignition cycle.

The chosen operating mode is stored in the ESP® control unit. If ATTENTION ASSIST is switched off while driving (operating mode "OFF"), the operating mode that was selected before switching off is automatically active after the next ignition cycle.

If the "OFF" operating mode is selected, this is indicated by a coffee cup symbol and "OFF" in the instrument cluster's multifunction display.

The icon of a coffee cup with "OFF" lettering is only displayed when the "engine is running" or the "drivetrain is operational". If ATTENTION ASSIST is in "Standard" or "Sensitive" operating mode, the coffee cup symbol is not displayed.

The driver can call up the following additional information via the "Info page" in the "Attention Asst." menu level of the instrument cluster:

IMPORTANT If ATTENTION ASSIST is in passive mode, the "System passive" message is shown on the instrument cluster multifunction display as well as the driving time since the start of driving and the bar display.

G13658731Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Shown with GUI language German 

IMPORTANT The driver handling characteristics are also analyzed when ATTENTION ASSIST is switched off. If ATTENTION ASSIST is switched on during a journey, the entire journey from the start is taken into consideration.

At the start of the journey the Electronic Stability Program control unit uses an algorithm to determine the driver's individual warning threshold. This is the driving time and the time of day. In the "Attention Level" display mode, 5 bars (green (4 to 5 bars), yellow (2 to 3 bars), red (one bar)) are/is displayed. The Electronic Stability Program control unit sends the request to display the corresponding information over the chassis FlexRay, electronic ignition lock control unit and the user interface CAN to the instrument cluster.

If the number of indicators for lack of attention or fatigue goes up or in the event of a longer driving distance, the number of bars goes down.

If the warning threshold was exceeded, the Electronic Stability Program control unit sends a request to issue a warning over the chassis FlexRay, electronic ignition lock control unit and the user interface CAN to the instrument cluster and to the head unit, that then evaluate it.

The warning message "Attention Assist: Break!" then appears on the instrument cluster, and the driving time since the last break is displayed. A warning tone is also issued via the instrument cluster speaker. The instrument cluster directly actuates the instrument cluster speaker. The Electronic Stability Program control unit transmits the request to output a warning tone via suspension FlexRay, electronic ignition lock control unit and user interface CAN to the instrument cluster.

The warning message can be acknowledged using the instrument cluster finger navigation pad. The steering wheel electronics read in the status of the instrument cluster finger navigation pad directly and transmit this via the steering wheel CAN, the steering column tube module control unit, the suspension FlexRay, the electronic ignition lock control unit and the user interface CAN to the instrument cluster.

In addition, the steering column tube module control unit sends the status of the instrument cluster finger navigation pad via the chassis FlexRay to the Electronic Stability Program control unit.

IMPORTANT A repeated warning message is issued at the earliest following expiry of t = 15 min.

IMPORTANT When driving, it is possible for the driver to experience not only a decrease in their attention level, but also an increase.

IMPORTANT If ATTENTION ASSIST cannot calculate an "attention level" and a warning cannot be output, the "System passive" message appears on the multifunction display, e g. if the vehicle speed is v < 60 km/h or v > 200 km/h.

If the warning threshold is exceeded, the head unit shows the driver the nearest rest facilities in addition to the warning message on the Audio/COMAND display. Only premium parking places with a gas station and hospitality are taken into consideration. The display of suitable stops can be deactivated using the "Messages" menu on the Audio/COMAND display. The system remains deactivated after the next ignition cycle.

IMPORTANT The rest area icon is only displayed on "freeway-type" roads.

The Electronic Stability Program control unit sends the request to issue a warning message over the chassis FlexRay, electronic ignition lock control unit and user interface CAN to the head unit. The head unit determines suitable stops using the GPS signals and the navigation data. The head unit actuates the Audio/COMAND display via the telematics CAN and sends the corresponding video signals via the HSVL line.

Essentially, the following influencing factors are evaluated:

Time of day: 

The time of day is also defined by the current time. The instrument cluster sends this to the Electronic Stability Program control unit via user interface CAN, electronic ignition lock control unit and suspension FlexRay. The received time is checked for plausibility by means of evaluating the ambient brightness. The ambient brightness is detected by the light sensor. The rain/light sensor with additional functions reads in the signals of the light sensor directly, evaluates them and sends information on the ambient brightness (dimness level) over the rain/light sensor-LIN, front SAM control unit, the interior CAN, electronic ignition lock control unit and the chassis FlexRay to the Electronic Stability Program control unit.

IMPORTANT If there is a transition between dusk and dawn at an implausible time, an entry is made in the Electronic Stability Program control unit diagnostic memory.

Driving time: 

The driving time is determined by the Electronic Stability Program control unit.

Steering movements: 

Steering movements are recorded by the steering wheel angle sensor.

The steering column tube module control unit reads in the steering wheel angle sensor signals directly and sends information on steering wheel angle and steering wheel velocity to the Electronic Stability Program control unit via suspension FlexRay.

Vehicle speed: 

The vehicle speed is calculated by the Electronic Stability Program control unit using the wheel speed.

Vehicle longitudinal/lateral acceleration and yaw rate: 

Information on vehicle longitudinal and lateral acceleration as well as yaw rate is recorded by the acceleration sensor integrated into the Supplemental Restraint System control unit. The supplemental restraint system control unit sends corresponding values over the vehicle dynamics CAN to the Electronic Stability Program control unit.

Control interventions: 

Control interventions at one of the following components disable the detection of steering patterns:

The head unit sends information on audio system control interventions to the Electronic Stability Program control unit over the user interface CAN, electronic ignition lock control unit and the chassis FlexRay.

The steering column tube module control unit reads in control interventions at the steering column adjustment switch and combination switch directly and sends the corresponding information to the Electronic Stability Program control unit via the suspension FlexRay.

The steering wheel electronics read in control interventions at the multifunction steering wheel button groups directly and send the corresponding information to the Electronic Stability Program control unit via the steering wheel CAN, steering column tube module control unit and suspension FlexRay.

The left and right lower control panels transmit information about control interventions to the ESP® control unit via the LCP-LIN, the Audio/COMAND control panel, the telematics CAN, the head unit, the user interface CAN, the electronic ignition lock control unit and the suspension FlexRay.

A warning is suppressed under the following conditions as no inferences about the attentiveness of the driver can be drawn from the driving behavior:

The following function information, which can lead to possible complaints, is also valid:

  1. No warning issued because driving time too short in active vehicle speed range: ATTENTION ASSIST analyzes the development of the handling characteristics. At the start of the journey the individual handling characteristic is classified. If the handling characteristic changes permanently a warning is issued. If the driving time within the active range (speed between v = 60 and 200 km/h) is too short, no warning is issued.
  2. No warning because of restrictions associated with the system limits: The handling characteristics cannot be evaluated in the active vehicle speed range (v = 60 to 200 km/h) if certain factors occur such as frequent lane changing, twisty roads, frequent control interventions, surface undulations, crosswinds or a dynamic driving style.
  3. Personal driving behavior: ATTENTION ASSIST records any changes in the handling characteristics. These changes cannot always be explained as fatigue or increasing inattentiveness, rather they can also be caused by peculiarities in steering behavior. Certain types of driver present ATTENTION ASSIST with special challenges, e.g. drivers with a very calm or extremely active steering behavior.
  4. Influence of time on sensitivity of ATTENTION ASSIST: Depending on the time, ATTENTION ASSIST reacts to match the human biorhythm (e.g. the mid-day low). These results are determined representatively, but they may also differ on an individual basis.
  5. Influence of driving time on sensitivity of ATTENTION ASSIST: As the length of driving time without a break increases, the sensitivity of ATTENTION ASSIST also increases. The weighting of the driving time is based on surveys and correspond to the average fatigue characteristics.
  6. Warning because of distraction or mild fatigue: ATTENTION ASSIST not only warns in the event of fatigue, it can also warn when a change in handling characteristics occurs, e.g. where the driver is greatly distracted. Therefore, a warning issued because of increasing inattentiveness is also to be deemed correct. The subjective fatigue sensitivity and the objective assessment variable determined by ATTENTION ASSIST are different.
  7. Change in steering ability through other factors: Besides fatigue or increasing inattentiveness other factors can also significantly change the steering ability, and influence the objective assessment variables as determined by ATTENTION ASSIST, e.g. increasingly slippery road surface, worsening visibility, narrowing roadway, worsening roadway.
  8. Influence of "Sensitive" operating mode: Selecting the "Sensitive" operating mode tells ATTENTION ASSIST to operate in a more sensitive manner. The attention level determined by ATTENTION ASSIST is matched accordingly and a warning is issued earlier.
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