Volvo goes for the crash-proof car

[Drew Wilson]

“Our aim for 2020 is that no one should be killed or injured in a Volvo car,” says Thomas Broberg, safety expert with the Swedish auto maker. So how can such a worthy goal be achieved? Broberg’s reply would be that Volvo is working on the world’s first accident-proof car.

And such a vehicle is not that far away. Next month, Volvo unveils its next-generation S60 mid-size sedan at the Detroit auto show. Although still a concept, it showcases many features that the production car (on sale in 2010) will have, such as Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection.

“Up until now, we have focused on helping the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles,” says Broberg. “Now we are taking a giant step forward with a system that also boosts safety for unprotected road users. New sensor technology also makes it possible to advance from 50% to full-automatic braking power.”

Radar and cameras are deployed to detect pesky things like pedestrians and other vehicles. If a collision is imminent, the system will first warn the driver and then, if no action has been taken, apply the brakes automatically. Even if there is an unfortunate coming-together, a reduced impact speed could result in a much happier outcome.

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Warning: not to be turned on when turning an icy corner.

[mountain_rage]

Wouldn't control around icy corners be controlled by vehicle stability sensors Drew? There is many vehicles now, and work like a charm.

[Drew Wilson]

Well, all I know is that slamming the breaks while turning an icy corner contributes to instability, but I don't know much about cars and mechanics.

[mountain_rage]

They have sensors that can detect slippage of the tires. Once that happens it controls individuals wheels to try and regain traction and guide the vehicle in the proper direction.

[Drew Wilson]

Ahh, that makes sense. :)

[shawners]

Still some accidents will occur and the company can be sued if they make false claims or doesnt live up to what is promised.

[mountain_rage]

Think the idea is to aim for a car that can get near 0% crash statistics. Its a interesting way to push design. To be honest in 20 years cars may be able to communicate with each other, lights and authorities. Once this happens not only will cars that drive themselves soon follow, but you would heavily reduce accidents.

[billygoldberg]

Well i think the Volvo S60 will help in some part to reduce injuries on the road, but it will need much more that that. We should start with education to the young drivers.

[baghdad_steve15]

They should work on making the Volvo S60 less ugly first, then worry about all that safety non-sense.

[1cooldude]

you have not S195 then..what a car!:icon_chee

[Atheist Icon]

What I am trying to figure out is how people can get into accidents...Seems that people are more interested in talking on the phone, texting their friends, putting their make-up on, eating, drinking, smoking, watching a movie on their new in-dash DVD, messing with their GPS(phone or acutal GPS), sorting their files, trying to grab the dollar on the floor...Where did it become the responsibility of a car company to make sure you can survive doing something f'in retarded?

I have Stabilitrack on my Cadillac SRX with traction control and all that other BS, i find it an actual hindrance. One instance is where I am trying to accelerate to get into traffic on an access road in a busy part of San Antonio. I am trying to accelerate to 45mph from a stop, in the process, my right rear tire was sitting in a puddle, I accelerate, my tire starts slipping, traction control kicks in killing the power to the tires immediately, slowing me down. Great right? No, now the traffic that I was trying to merge with slows down causing more of a back up pissing off not only myself, but those behind me.

Crumple zones, air bags(steering and dash), seat belts, disc brakes, anti-lock brakes, power steering, A/C, power brakes, limited slip differentials, etc, are all great things and have improved safety better than stability systems, traction control systems, and 25 airbags will ever do.

The minute the companies realize that safety is in our hands the better it will be for us. All these extra systems just add to the total cost of a car that makes it a joke to go out and buy a new one.

Goddammit!! This is the shit that pisses me off to no end.

Volvo are good cars though.

edit

Wow, I cannot believe I put A/C system in there as a safety feature....it could be...How many people died while having sex in the car in the middle of summer before A/C system were small enough to put on cars?

[mountain_rage]

What I am trying to figure out is how people can get into accidents...Seems that people are more interested in talking on the phone, texting their friends, putting their make-up on, eating, drinking, smoking, watching a movie on their new in-dash DVD, messing with their GPS(phone or acutal GPS), sorting their files, trying to grab the dollar on the floor...Where did it become the responsibility of a car company to make sure you can survive doing something f'in retarded?

I have Stabilitrack on my Cadillac SRX with traction control and all that other BS, i find it an actual hindrance. One instance is where I am trying to accelerate to get into traffic on an access road in a busy part of San Antonio. I am trying to accelerate to 45mph from a stop, in the process, my right rear tire was sitting in a puddle, I accelerate, my tire starts slipping, traction control kicks in killing the power to the tires immediately, slowing me down. Great right? No, now the traffic that I was trying to merge with slows down causing more of a back up pissing off not only myself, but those behind me.

Crumple zones, air bags(steering and dash), seat belts, disc brakes, anti-lock brakes, power steering, A/C, power brakes, limited slip differentials, etc, are all great things and have improved safety better than stability systems, traction control systems, and 25 airbags will ever do.

The minute the companies realize that safety is in our hands the better it will be for us. All these extra systems just add to the total cost of a car that makes it a joke to go out and buy a new one.

Goddammit!! This is the shit that pisses me off to no end.

Volvo are good cars though.

Stability systems help a lot in slippery winter conditions. When people hit a patch of black ice at 100 km/h it is very nice to know the car will not 360 into oncoming traffic. Even the most experienced driver can 360 under certain conditions. Mute point in areas that don't get icy conditions, but very useful for those that do.

Your assumption is also that without all the device distractions, drivers would be flawless. Although this has been mostly true for myself, I still find I make a careless mistake once in a blue moon purely because I am human, and its only thanks to the other drivers attention that I did not have a collision. By having a computer monitor surroundings on top of human control, you have an even better ability to avoid accidents.

Also I find it hard to understand why you are annoyed with this technology considering your recognize the trend in more inconsiderate behavior. The truth is there are a lot of ass hat drivers, and nothing but social revolution will change this reality. So rather than bitch about that fact, how about applaud a companies effort to prevent these ass hats from crashing into your vehicle. I know I'll be happy knowing that the idiot behind me talking on their cellphone at least has a car that is paying attention.

You will also be happy to find that studies are looking at the trend of less and less considerate and nonchalant drivers. What is currently believed is that motorist psychologically feel disconnected from their surroundings, especially in modern vehicles that block out most outdoor noise. So some are speculating on ways of lowering this effect. There have also be studies that linked increase vehicle safety, to an increase in reckless driving. As it would appear, the safer an individual feels in their car, the more likely they are to drive recklessly. So by making a vehicle feel less safe, you may actually lower speeding and other reckless behavior, but sadly no manufacturer is going to build a car to purposefully feel unsafe.

[YWD67]

If he is ever T-boned by another vehicle and lives he can thank al the airbags that a required in his Caddy.
Of course the fact he has a rear wheel drive vehicle plays into the equation as well.
The fact that he has a Caddy puts eight to ten thousand dollars more on the price tag just for the name alone.

[Atheist Icon]

There should be no reason at all that we have to have these system take care of us. NONE!

All of these "safety" systems contribute to the negligent behavior that is present on these roads today. If I get in a crash, *shrugs*, I'll live. If I try and drive my SUV/Truck/Crossover like a car, *shrugs*, the computer will do what it can to help me out. If I get rear-ended trying to merge with traffic because I have a vehicle with Traction Control, *shrugs*, I'll blame it on the Traction Control(in Texas if you get rear ended, it not your fault but the person that hit you, even if it is your fault). If I run a red light because I'm not paying attention, *shrugs*, the Auto braking feature will keep me from killing myself.

I am seeing a trend here, people relying on systems to protect them rather than themselves. Honestly, its going to get to the point where insurance companies are going to mandate those systems be in place before they insure you.

[Atheist Icon]

If he is ever T-boned by another vehicle and lives he can thank al the airbags that a required in his Caddy.
Of course the fact he has a rear wheel drive vehicle plays into the equation as well.
The fact that he has a Caddy puts eight to ten thousand dollars more on the price tag just for the name alone.

It's used, its an 04, got it for 15K in 08'. Right when gas prices where at their peak.

If I ever get hit hard enough for me to use the A pillar airbags, I highly doubt I would survive the wreck anyway.