Volvo announces research into driver safety technology

Date: 16/7/2012

Volvo has announced that it is to introduce three new driver safety systems as it aims to meet its target of no injuries or deaths in its cars by 2020.

These three systems, which are known as Autonomous Driving Support (ADS), Intersection Support and Animal Detection, are all being researched currently with the hope of achieving the ambitious target.

Beginning with ADS, this is designed to help the driver to stay in his or her lane while also helping whoever is behind the wheel to follow the rhythm of the traffic better, if queues start to build up.

This will use data from a camera and radar sensors, and will see the car's engine, brakes and steering respond automatically to any changes.

Should the vehicle in front be forced to make a quick move for whatever reason, the driver will be assisted by the steering system to help the car veer away from a collision.

Fredrik Lundholm, function developer at Volvo's Safety Functions department, said: "Driving in slow queues is a monotonous and boring part of many drivers' everyday lives.

"Thanks to technology for autonomous driving, the car can help the driver comfortably and safely follow the vehicle in front."

When it comes to intersection support, Volvo's research aims to help drivers with crossroads and junctions, "the most complex part of the modern traffic environment".

Mattias Brännström, PhD Active Safety Functions and specialist in Signals & Systems at the Chalmers University of Technology says that research into this involves sensors which "assess the entire traffic scenario".

"If a critical situation is registered, a decision to intervene is taken at lightning speed," he added.

Finally, with Animal Detection, Volvo is looking to manufacture a system which can detect animals on the road before automatically braking, be it in daylight or in the dark.

Andreas Eidehall, Volvo's technical expert in Active Safety, said: "The technology is a further development of our pedestrian protection system.

"Considerable attention has been focused on ensuring that the system works in the dark since most collisions with wild animals take place at dawn and dusk."

Posted by Sarah Bailey