Beyond the drive
POSTED ON 31/08/2021

Mazda Stories highlights some of Mazda’s award-winning safety systems, from its Traffic Sign Recognition System to the Co-Pilot Concept and Smart Brake Support.

Words Luke Ponsford


Mazda’s attitude to safety goes beyond just protecting drivers and occupants of its own vehicles. It wants to make sure all road users are kept free from harm.

Thanks to Mazda’s Traffic Sign Recognition System (shown above), drivers are made more aware of traffic signs and changes in speed. The system detects and reads road signs – such as “stop” and “do not enter” – and local speed limits using the car’s forward sensing camera, alerting the driver via the car’s Active Driving Display. If you happen to be going too fast, the Active Driving Display will project the recognised speed limit sign onto your windscreen, as well as flashing an amber light and then emitting a warning sound, encouraging you to slow down. Think of this system as another pair of eyes on the road, helping you to recognise any potential hazards while keeping you safe.

Looking back at crash test dummies in a Mazda car with the airbags deployed
Mazda MX-30 safety tech

The Mazda MX-30’s body was designed to deliver excellent collision safety performance and Mazda’s engineers considered every possible situation in the event of an accident. Even the battery is equipped with a special protective structure designed to fully shield occupants from the risk of high voltage in a crash. Most recently, a driver’s far-side airbag (also referred to as a front-seat centre side airbag in some markets) has been introduced in order to protect vehicle occupants from crashing into each other during a collision. Mounted inside the driver’s seat, this airbag protects the head and chest areas, and prevents direct contact with the seats or doors on the opposite side of the vehicle, should the driver be travelling alone. Engineers ensured that this airbag was rigidly self-supporting and would not easily fall down once activated, even without support from the side. 

 

“As of 2020, all Mazda models have been given a five-star ANCAP safety rating.”

ANCAP (AUSTRALASIAN NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM)


Mazda’s Smart Brake Support

Mazda’s ingenious Smart Brake Support System (SBS) helps drivers to avoid or reduce accidents by automatically applying the brake if there is a danger of collision. Using a radar sensor installed behind the car’s grille, SBS is capable of detecting vehicles and obstacles as far as 200 metres ahead. When a risk of collision is detected, the system slows the car via a two-stage brake operation. The brakes are primed for maximum stopping power when the driver steps on the pedal, while automatic emergency braking is activated if the driver fails to respond, stopping the car before impact or slowing it down to reduce the effects of an imminent collision. SBS is the next step on from Mazda’s low-speed Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system, operating at speeds between 16km/h and 145km/h.

  

“The 2021 Mazda3 sedan and hatch, Mazda6 sedan, Mazda CX-3, Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX-5 and Mazda CX-9 models have all been rated Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.”

IIHS (INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY)


Mazda’s future safety technology: Co-Pilot Concept

Mazda is developing the Mazda Co-Pilot Concept, which is a human-centric autonomous driving system. The system continuously monitors the driver’s condition and, if it detects any sudden change, will switch the car to autonomous driving. It then brings the car to a safe place and stops it, and places an emergency call. While many manufacturers are heading towards a fully autonomous future, there are no plans for the Co-Pilot Concept to totally automate the driving experience. Rather it will allow you to enjoy the drive but maintain peace of mind that the car will step in should an emergency arise. Mazda plans to start introducing the Mazda Co-Pilot 1.0 into its vehicles from 2022. 

Close up of centre touchscreen of a Mazda car highlighting Mazda Co-pilot driver safety assistance systems
Close up of centre touchscreen of a Mazda car highlighting Mazda Co-pilot driver safety assistance systems
Close up of centre touchscreen of a Mazda car highlighting Mazda Co-pilot driver safety assistance systems
Close up of centre touchscreen of a Mazda car highlighting Mazda Co-pilot driver safety assistance systems

Mazda Co-Pilot Concept aims to make driving safer, without detracting from the driving experience. Early imagery of the system in action (above) shows the test car recognising the driver has fallen ill, automatically taking control of the vehicle and safely pulling to a stop at the side of the road.

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Some images may depict overseas models or include optional features and accessories not available locally.