Hooray for Mercedes-Benz – or more specifically, Benz manufacturer Daimler, the first car maker to implement the use of QR codes on vehicles to provide emergency workers with quick access to vehicle information at accident scenes.
Even if you don’t know what a QR code is, I’m sure you’ve seen them around. QR codes are those small, black-and-white square barcodes that are found on products in the grocery store, in magazine ads, and on virtually all types of commercial packaging these days. Each QR code contains unique information that can be scanned by a smartphone to link to websites, texts and images, contact information, and more. You can even create your own for free online.
In this instance, QR codes on Mercedes-Benz vehicles will contain pertinent vehicle information, such as the location of airbags, fuel tanks, electric cables, high-pressure cylinders and batteries. All of this information is critical for emergency workers to determine prior to using the Jaws of Life to cut into a vehicle at the accident scene. The faster this information is available, the faster the rescue process can begin.
Currently, all car manufacturers are required to provide rescue cards, but the cards can be difficult or impossible to locate in a vehicle that has been severely damaged. If a car does not have a rescue card inside, first responders must try to identify the exact make and model and then navigate the internet to locate the appropriate rescue card, all before the rescue process can begin.
The Daimler press release reports that Mercedes-Benz vehicles will each have two QR code stickers that are easily accessible from the opposite, outer-sides each vehicle. In a traffic accident, chances are that at least one of these stickers will still remain easily accessible and shave crucial time from rescue operations.
The coolest thing about this news? German car manufacturer Daimler has decided not to patent its idea, so other car manufacturers can follow suit – for free! Kudos to Daimler, not only for using the latest QR code technology to potentially save lives, but also for freely sharing their innovation with the world!