The Volvo Car Group presents a range 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 Volvo cars with autonomous driving, which will help prevent accidents and increase driving comfort," says Thomas Broberg , Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Car Group.
New technologies include:
Pedestrian detection in the dark – a world first, thanks to which the recognition and automatic braking technology works effectively even when driving in the dark. At the same time, the technology enables recognition and automatic braking in case of imminent collision with other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Detection of road edges and guardrails with steering assistant – a function that can register that the car is leaving the road and automatically intervene in the steering to return it to the correct direction. The fact that the vehicle can recognize the edge of the road itself is another world first. Thanks to this, the technology is able to work even on roads without edge lines.
Adaptive cruise control with driving assistant – this technology will allow the driver to stay in the designated lane and smoothly adjust the speed to the traffic rhythm. The new system can automatically follow the vehicle in front.
“When the first Volvo XC90 was introduced in 2002, it was equipped with a range of ground-breaking safety systems, including the world's first rollover prevention system. By introducing a number of technologies for the upcoming generation of the XC90 model, we are reaffirming our leading position in the field of automotive safety," says Thomas Broberg .
Another world first, the Wildlife Collision Mitigation System can detect and automatically brake the vehicle in the event of an imminent collision with an animal, both in light and in the dark. This technology, which should help drivers avoid accidents or at least reduce the speed of impact, will be introduced later after the launch of the new Volvo XC90 , which is scheduled for late 2014.
Volvo Car Group will introduce additional features as part of a strategy to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car to zero by 2020. Car 2 Car communication allows vehicles to communicate with each other as well as with the transport infrastructure, which opens up fantastic possibilities. Vehicles can share and exchange important information, which will contribute to safer and more comfortable driving . The technology is based on communication between transmitters in vehicles and in road infrastructure, such as road signs or traffic lights.
Autonomous parking is a technological concept of the Volvo brand, thanks to which the car can find a free parking space by itself . The driver can leave his car at the entrance to the parking lot. The combination of autonomous driving with recognition and braking in front of other car objects enables safe movement with regard to other vehicles and pedestrians moving in the parking lot. Speed and braking are adjusted for smooth movement in the parking area.
"Our approach is based on the fact that cars with autonomous driving must be able to move safely in environments where there are also regular vehicles and unprotected road users," explains Thomas Broberg.
Source: Volvo
