Safety features tend to be a priority for all car companies, and European cars pack the best technologies and great build quality. However, no one is better than Volvo when it comes to safety. From new innovations to exemplary safety ratings, Volvo is a name associated with safety.
Volvo is in the mood to expand its EV lineup and has talked about the arrival of the EX90, a supposed replacement for the XC90. On top of that, Volvo has collaborated with Luminar and has released some news regarding their new innovations, which include remote sensing technologies, human behavior monitoring, and enhanced interior occupant safety.
While we leave the topic of Volvo's LiDAR technologies to be discussed later, let's dig deeper into driver behavior monitoring technology.
The New Volvo EX90 Is Designed To Understand Human Behavior
The upcoming EX90 will rewrite its legacy when it comes to providing the occupants with outstanding safety. Volvo has designed the EX90’s interior to keep an eye on the drivers to prevent them from getting distracted and facing accidents. The front side is outfitted with two cameras and an interior radar, which are designed to observe the driver’s behavior and monitor the driver’s eye-gaze patterns.
These cameras and sensors further calculate the amount of time the driver has his eyes on the road and monitor head movements to determine the present state of the driver. The system can detect whether the driver is distracted, looking at the phone too much, having a cognitive distraction, or is occupied by other thoughts.
In addition, the EX90 has a capacitive steering wheel, which also helps in detecting the state of the driver. Once the system detects the driver’s inattentiveness, it intervenes by nudging the steering wheel, followed by an audiovisual warning that gradually becomes louder. If the driver still doesn’t respond or take action, the system turns on the hazard lights and comes to a safe stop at the side of the road.
According to Emma Tivesten, STE of Volvo Cars Safety Center, "Our research shows that by simply observing where the driver is looking and how often and for how long their eyes are closed, we can tell a lot about the state of the driver. By basing its calculations on our research findings, the sensing system allows our cars to identify whether the driver’s ability is impaired, perhaps due to drowsiness, distraction, or other causes of inattention, and to offer extra assistance in a way that best suits the situation."
Volvo Redefines Safety With The World’s First Interior Radar System
Volvo cares about safety like no other carmaker. In fact, their approach, efforts, and understanding are praiseworthy. Volvo also states that since 1998, more than 900 children have died in the US due to hyperthermia and heatstroke after being left locked inside cars.
Volvo is willing to reduce these accidents and reduce these outcomes by at least 20%. However, with millions of cars on the road, these lofty goals aren’t easy to achieve, and a car has to be equipped with such technology.
To address this issue, Volvo has equipped the EX90 with a new interior feature that includes radar and various sensors placed in the overhead console, roof-mounted rear lamps, and the cargo trunk. These sensors are designed to detect the slightest movements in the interior. These sensors cover the whole cabin and sense whether a child or a pet has been left inside the car.
These sensors work in tandem with the occupancy sensors and activate once the sensor fails to detect any passengers inside. The system activates the radar and sensors to detect whether the car is empty. If a child or a pet is detected inside, the system automatically unlocks the door and displays an audiovisual warning. If the warning notification fails, the climate system will be turned on, and it will remain working until the battery runs out.
As informed by Volvo, the radar uses a frequency of 60 GHz and this feature will come standard in the EX90. Volvo will also offer regular OTA updates to enhance the radar software in the future.
Volvo Offers Exemplary Safety With The Latest Remote Sensing Technologies
Each of Volvo’s products is filled with the latest safety technologies and a vast list of safety and driver assistance features. However, this Swedish carmaker has continued with its innovations, and now they have equipped its new EX90 with remote sensing technologies.
As we all know, Volvo collaborated with Luminar (a Silicon Valley-based company) a couple of years ago to bring remote sensing technologies to a car to offer customers a safer driving experience and increase its safety quotient. The EX90 will come with the Luminar Iris LiDAR unit placed above the front windshield.
LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is an advanced remote sensing technology that uses pulsed lasers to measure distance and depth from points A to B. According to Volvo, the LiDAR unit can detect pedestrians at a range of up to 250 meters and can track something as dark and small as a tire to alert the driver beforehand.
Volvo has given very limited information about these technologies and will showcase the EX90 on November 9. All we see is Volvo advancing towards its objective by employing ground-breaking innovations, leaving other carmakers behind in safety.
Source: Volvo