Doug Speck, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales and Customer
Service at Volvo Car Group, literally rolled out another Volvo
world first in automotive safety at a press conference at the 2013
Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday.
He introduced the ground-breaking safety feature - a technology
that detects and automatically brakes for cyclists swerving out in
front of the car - by entering the stage on a bicycle.
The new functionality is an enhancement of the present detection
and auto brake technology, and the package will be called
Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake. All cars
equipped with pedestrian detection will also incorporate cyclist
detection.
"As the leader in automotive safety, we have been first in the
industry with all detection and auto brake technologies, from the
first-generation brake support in 2006 to pedestrian detection with
full auto brake in 2010," said Doug Speck.
Counteracts accidents
According to accident data, about 50 per cent of all cyclists
killed in European traffic have collided with a car - a number that
is counteracted by Volvo Cars' new Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection
technology.
New advanced software, including more rapid vision processing,
has made it possible to extend the present detection and auto brake
technology to cover certain cyclist situations.
"Our solutions for avoiding collisions with unprotected road
users are unique in the industry. By covering more and more objects
and situations, we reinforce our world-leading position within
automotive safety. We keep moving towards our long-term vision to
design cars that do not crash," said Doug Speck.
Automatic braking
A cyclist in the same lane swerving out in front of the car is
one incident type that is addressed by the Pedestrian and Cyclist
Detection with full auto brake, which will be available in the
Volvo V40, S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 models from mid-May in
2013.
The advanced sensor system scans the area ahead. If a cyclist
heading in the same direction as the car suddenly swerves out in
front of the car as it approaches from behind and a collision is
imminent, there is an instant warning and full braking power is
applied.
The car's speed has considerable importance for the outcome of
an accident. A lower speed of impact means that the risk of serious
injury is significantly reduced.
Combining camera and radar
Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake consists
of a radar unit integrated into the car's grille, a camera fitted
in front of the interior rear-view mirror and a central control
unit. The radar's task is to detect objects in front of the car and
to determine the distance to them. The camera determines the type
of the objects. Thanks to the dual-mode radar's wide field of
vision, pedestrians and cyclists can be detected early on. The
high-resolution camera makes it possible to spot the moving pattern
of pedestrians and cyclists. The central control unit continuously
monitors and evaluates the traffic situation.
The auto brake system requires both the radar and the camera to
confirm the object. With the advanced sensor technology, it is then
possible to apply full braking power immediately when necessary.
The technology also covers vehicles driving in the same lane.
For further information please contact:
Oliver Peagam
Public Affairs Manager
Volvo Car Australia
T: 02 9020 1613
M: 0408 691 017
E: opeagam@volvocars.com