The equipment underlines the high-quality, attractive design of the cab: The upper cover of the MirrorCam's camera arm has a chrome look, the mirror base cover is painted in the colour of the cab.

Instead of using conventional mirrors, the new Actros can come equipped the innovative, aerodynamically designed MirrorCam. Besides cutting fuel consumption by up to 1.3%, it provides an ideal view rearward and around the area of the A pillar. In addition, the MirrorCam improves safety, for example by automatically panning the camera image when manoeuvring, turning corners or changing lanes.

The camera system comprises two high-resolution fold-up cameras that are mounted on the upper roof frame. The camera images are sent to two 15.2" (38.6 cm) colour screens near the A pillar. To aid the driver in assessing the traffic behind him/her, the respective screen shows tracking and distance indicator lines as soon as he/she switches on the indicator at a speed greater than 30 kilometres per hour. Warnings alerting the driver to excessively tight turning angles add yet more assistance during manoeuvring.

The new assistance system aids the driver in recognising certain traffic signs in real-time, displays up to two of them in the instrument cluster simultaneously and thus makes for greater safety and driving comfort. What's more, it warns the driver both visually and audibly – for example in the case of exceeding speed limits.

Besides speed limits, overtaking restrictions and their lifting, Traffic Sign Assist also detects warning signs and restricted access signs applicable to trucks.

The fifth generation of the system assists the driver in that, under ideal conditions and within the system's capabilities, it can perform emergency braking when approaching stationary and moving objects, and perform partial or full braking for moving pedestrians, thus mitigating or even preventing accidents entirely.

This optionally available system can assist the driver during cornering or lane changing by detecting moving and stationary objects in the warning zone on the right or in the tracking pattern in certain situations8,9 and providing visual and audible warnings for the driver.

This assistance system with stop-and-go function is on hand to support the driver in certain situations and can reduce the risk of rear-end collisions.

If the vehicle approaches a detected vehicle driving in front, the cruise control automatically restricts the speed and maintains the pre-set distance within the system limits. If vehicles appear in front suddenly, the system can intervene with predefined decelerations. Stop-and-go-function automatically controls driving off and braking in traffic jams. Up to a speed of 50 kilometres an hour the Proximity Control Assist can detect stationary vehicles and react to stationary vehicles in front of a traffic light, for example. If necessary, the driver's own vehicle can be brought to a stop.