Volvo reveals world-class safety and support features

MANILA, Philippines - Volvo Cars has revealed a number of user-friendly safety and support technologies that will be introduced in the All-New Volvo XC90 at the end of 2014.

“We are introducing the first Volvos with autonomous steering to avoid accidents and make driving more comfortable,” says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor Volvo Car Group.

The new technologies for the upcoming Volvo XC90 will be tested by a number of international media representatives this summer. The technologies are:

•             Pedestrian Detection in darkness. A world first that makes the detection and auto brake technology work effectively also when driving in darkness. The technology includes detection and auto brake for other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

•             Road edge and barrier detection with steer assist. A feature that detects if the car is about to drive off the road and autonomously applies steering torque to bring the vehicle back on track. Being able to monitor where the physical road ends is a world first. This means that the technology also works on roads without side markings.

•             Adaptive Cruise Control with steer assist. A technology that helps the driver stay in the lane and follow the rhythm of the traffic. The new system automatically follows the vehicle ahead.

“When the first XC90 was introduced in 2002, it featured a number of ground-breaking safety features, including a world-first solution that helps prevent rollovers. By revealing a number of systems for the next generation XC90 we once again confirm our leadership in automotive safety,” says Broberg.

Collision mitigation for animals is a world first that detects and automatically brakes for animals both in daylight and in the dark. The technology, which is designed to help the driver avoid accidents or reduce the speed of impact, will be introduced some time after the all-new XC90 arrives by the end of 2014.

Towards zero

Volvo also announced other features that are part of the continuous aim to bring the number of people killed and seriously injured in new Volvo cars down to zero by 2020.

Car 2 Car communication enables vehicles to communicate with each other and with the traffic environment, opening up fantastic possibilities. Vital information can be shared and exchanged - creating a more comfortable and safer drive. The technology is based on communication between transmitters in vehicles and the road infrastructure, such as road signs and traffic lights.

The self-parking car

Autonomous Parking is a Volvo concept technology that allows a car to find and park in a vacant space by itself, allowing the driver to leave the vehicle at the entrance to the car park.

Combining autonomous driving with detection and auto brake for other objects makes it possible for the car to interact safely with other cars and pedestrians in the car park.  The speed and braking are adapted for smooth integration in the parking environment.

“Our approach is based on autonomously driven cars being able to move safely in environments with non-autonomous vehicles and unprotected road users,” says Broberg.