You might recall that I posted about Volvo developing a car that parks itself and that the technology would be seen in the next generation XC90 coming in 2014? Well Volvo today announced the sort of technology that is coming in the 2014 XC90. Leading the way 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.
- 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. Seeing as places like the Newfoundland and BC have problems with cars hitting moose, this is something that will really make a difference.
- 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
- And of course, Autonomous Parking.
The reason that’s behind Volvo working on these technologies is that they want to get the number of people killed and seriously injured in new Volvo cars down to zero by 2020. That’s an ambitious goal. But one that’s reachable given the technologies that Volvo is working on. So why is this coming in the XC90? Here’s what Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor Volvo Car Group had to say on that:
“When the first XC90 was introduced in 2002, it featured a number of groundbreaking 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,”
Sounds good to me. I can’t wait to see the XC90 next year.