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Volvo unveils its Cyclist Detection System with automatic braking (+ video)

Sweden-based carmaker's technology combines radar and camera to anticipate collisions - and avoid them...

Sweden-based car maker Volvo has formally unveiled its Cyclist Detection System, which enables vehicles equipped with the technology to detect when pedestrians and cyclists are present and apply an automatic brake in situations where a collision looks likely. The innovation was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week.

Volvo says that collisions with cars account for half of all cyclist deaths in Europe, and that reducing the speed of the vehicle is an important factor in cutting the number of fatalities. It believes that its Cyclist Detection System, which will be incorporated within a similar system launched two years ago aimed at protecting pedestrians, can help reduce the death toll.

While Volvo’s technology, which is based on software that processes information from a radar unit in the car’s grille and a camera fitted ahead of the rear view mirror to anticipate collisions does appear to be a step in the right direction, to make a real difference, other manufacturers would have to follow suit with their own similar initiatives, assuming the Swedish company doesn’t licence its system.

Doug Speck, Volvo’s Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales and Customer Service commented: "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.

"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," he added.

According to Volvo:

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.

Previous safety innovations from Volvo highlighted here on road.cc include an external airbag announced last year that is designed to protect vulnerable road users including cyclists and pedestrians in the event of a collision, and, in its commercial vehicle division, and a system aimed at eliminating blind spots from large vehicles such as lorries.

 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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6 comments

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kie7077 | 11 years ago
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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."

So hitting the cyclist is ok as long as the cars not speeding?

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kie7077 | 11 years ago
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But does it stop close passes? I want to know the exact distance Volvo thinks is safe to allow the car to pass the cyclist.

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StuayEd | 11 years ago
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A system that FORCES drivers not to hit you can only be a good thing surely?! Imagine if every car was fitted with this kind of tech!

What worries me is Volvo's representation of the cyclist - an oblivious muppet coasting along without looking where he's going and with a pair of over ear headphones on! Thanks Volvo!

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Bob's Bikes | 11 years ago
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I can just imagine the morons (sorry car drivers) defence in court, it wasn't my fault for not looking where I was going it was the cars fault for not stopping.  20

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Canis Cibo | 11 years ago
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How about a system that stops drivers behaving like tw*ts as well? (* insert vowel of choice)

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kitkat replied to Canis Cibo | 11 years ago
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Canis Cibo wrote:

How about a system that stops drivers behaving like tw*ts as well? (* insert vowel of choice)

Google and Oxford Uni are working on this sperately by making the car drive itself taking away the weakest link, the human

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