Volvo is marching right along toward their goal of zero fatalities involving a Volvo car by 2020. They already stand as the first automaker in the world to introduce an available suite of detection and auto brake technologies in their cars.
Now, they’re adding one more safety feature to the mix.
Called “Cyclist Detection with full auto brake,” it works alongside its already state-of-the-art detection system, Pedestrian Detection.
First introduced in 2010, Pedestrian Detection watches the roadway ahead of the vehicle with both a grille-mounted radar and a windshield-mounted video camera.
Cyclist Detection uses those same sensors and works very much the same way. Should a cyclist – headed in the same direction as the Volvo – swerve in front of the vehicle as the car approaches from the rear, the system will warn the driver and bring the vehicle to a complete and sudden stop – all without driver intervention.
This only works, however, if both the radar sensor and video camera both confirm the imminent collision with the cyclist.
According to Volvo’s figures, about half of all European cyclists’ deaths are caused by a collision with a car. Cyclist Detection with full auto brake will certain help to decrease those numbers.
Starting in mid-May, all new Volvo models fitted with Pedestrian Detection in Europe will also include Cyclist Detection. We asked a U.S. Volvo representative when this technology would be available in the American market.
We have yet to receive a response but as soon as we do, we’ll be sure to update you.
This would be a very annoying feature to have here in Portland, let alone in Europe. I would imagine that this system would be going off all the time.
When will car companies stop thinking that some weird obscure feature like this will sell cars. They need to focus on appealing design, horsepower and usability.
I’m the type of person who disables traction control because it removes the ability of me to be in full control of my car. These nanny devices are annoying, and restrict people like me who expect to be able to drive. With the ability to drive unimpaired. I would venture to say, this would cause me more accidents than otherwise. It’s for this very reason that I will never own an automated vehicle. Not to mention my privacy paranoia.
As for e (electric) e-brakes. Their useless.
Furthermore, what if there was a car behind you, and your car decides it wants to stop out of the blue to avoid a collision with a squirrel? If a cyclist decides he wants to play chicken with a 3,500 lb car, that’s their prerogative. Then again, that’s what EVOC training does to you.
Well you have to assume the system can tell the difference between a squirrel and a biker.
But I do think that as we automate things more, it makes people dumber. We need to all be aware of our surroundings.
Well yes. I was using sarcasm to make a point. As usual. When you make something easier for the end user, you always make the person ignorant of how to operate it.
before computers when typewriters were used, you best believe we all knew how to spell perfectly, and our typing was immaculate. but since computers, we all have spell check, and can make multiple mistakes. It requires little skill. To make a very simple comparison.