Volvo’s new Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection System monitors the distance between pedestrians and vehicles while also tracking their movement path. (via Volvo)
Motor vehicle related accidents make up a large amount of preventable injuries and fatalities that occur in heavily populated, urban environments around the world. With the recent advances in remote sensing technologies, the ability to prevent such incidents is at an all time high. For example, Volvo, who first introduced a pedestrian detection system in its 2010 lineup of vehicles, has just announced an upgrade that includes cyclist detection with full-auto brake.
The 2013 Geneva Motor Show attracts a huge audience of car enthusiasts to witness the unveiling of vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art technologies. Volvo’s new accident prevention system, aside from other enhanced bells and whistles, will be part of a new vehicle lineup focused on quality and attention to detail to meet customer needs.
The upgraded pedestrian and cyclist detection system utilizes two forms of in-vehicle environmental awareness: a radar unit integrated into the vehicle’s grille scans the area ahead while a rear-view mirror mounted camera detects the type of objects in front of the car. The two technologies work in synergy with a central control module that directs the vehicle to take immediate preventive measures if need be.
By continuously monitoring the traffic situation around the vehicle, the significance of pedestrian or cyclist injury can be reduced or avoided altogether via a full auto-brake system response. For example, if a cyclist riding ahead of an oncoming vehicle were to quickly swerve in from of the Volvo, the advanced sensor system would immediately detect the distance between the car and cyclist, track the moving path of the cyclist, and apply a full-brake command. The system will also apply to vehicles driving in the same lane.
Though likely not of the flashiest in-vehicle enhancements found at the Geneva Auto Show, Volvo’s new innovative system is well constructed to help diminish very preventable on-road accidents worldwide. Volvo’s cyclist and pedestrian detection system will come standard in its V40, S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 models starting in mid-May of this year (2013).
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