Skip to main content

Volvo standardises anti-collision system

Volvo will unveil ‘the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry’ next month when it launches its all-new XC90 all-wheel drive SUV. The standard safety package will include an auto brake at intersection capability and run-off road protection. The auto brake at intersection function automatically applies the brakes if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car. On-board systems detect a potential crash and automatically apply the br
July 23, 2014 Read time: 2 mins

609 Volvo will unveil ‘the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry’ next month when it launches its all-new XC90 all-wheel drive SUV. The standard safety package will include an auto brake at intersection capability and run-off road protection.

The auto brake at intersection function automatically applies the brakes if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car. On-board systems detect a potential crash and automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision or mitigate the consequences.

The City Safety crash prevention system is carried over with a camera upgrade and now covers vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in front of the car.

Another ‘world first’ is the Safe Positioning run-off road protection system. Volvo says run-off accidents (caused by driver distraction, fatigue or poor weather conditions) account for half of US traffic fatalities and single-vehicle accidents account for a third of fatal and severe injury crashes in Sweden.

To avoid run-offs, the XC90’s Lane Keeping Aid applies extra steering torque if the car is about to leave the lane unintentionally while Driver Alert Control detects and warns of tired or inattentive drivers. The Safe Positioning system detects the vehicle running off the road and tightens the front safety belts to restrain the occupants while an energy-absorbing system between the seat and seat frame helps prevent spine injuries.
 
Both the safety belt tightening and brake application functions are activated if the rearward facing radars detects an imminent rear-end impact, and the lights start flashing to warn the driver behind.

Also standard is a new generation of Roll Stability Control which calculates the risk of a rollover and will automatically reduce engine torque and apply braking force to one or more wheels to counteract any rollover tendency. If a rollover is inevitable, the system activates inflatable curtains to protect the occupants.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Inrix and Volvo Cars debut global collaboration for real-time traffic information
    November 4, 2015
    Volvo Cars and Inrix are to collaborate on the automaker’s first live traffic service; Inrix will provide Volvo drivers with real-time and predictive traffic flow information for routes, travel times, and alerts to accidents and incidents. INRIX Traffic will be a part of Volvo Sensus Connect, an innovative on-board infotainment and navigation solution that allows drivers to find and pay for parking, discover new places, stream their favourite music and much more. Inrix real-time traffic will be availabl
  • Report finds 87 per cent of US drivers engage in unsafe driving behaviour
    March 4, 2016
    About 87 per cent of drivers in the US engaged in at least one risky behaviour while behind the wheel within the past month, according to latest research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. This includes driving while distracted, impaired, drowsy, speeding, running red lights or not wearing a seat belt. These results come as nearly 33,000 Americans died in car crashes in 2014, and preliminary estimates project a nine percent increase in deaths for 2015. The report finds that one in three drivers ha
  • Polarised imaging gives enforcement clarity
    February 6, 2020
    Polarised imaging advances have finally allowed ITS technology to catch up with previously unenforceable international bans on smoking in cars, says Sony’s Stephane Clauss
  • Driver training saves lives, increases profits, reduces costs
    February 3, 2012
    An innovative UK Government initiative on work-related driver training has resulted in astonishing success, not only in terms of government objectives, but also in substantial cost-benefits for companies and public sector authorities participating in the scheme: they save lives and increase profits/reduce costs Here, we present an overview of the initiative and, overleaf, provide a detailed cost-benefit analysis which amply illustrates why it has been enthusiastically embraced by industry and the public sec