Volvo’s Safety Technology Will Give You Confidence Behind The Wheel

Peterson Mwingirwa
Nov 4 · 7 min read
2019 Volvo xc40

Volvo’s declarations that it’s one of the safest cars you can ever drive are still bold. This is due to the improvements done by the engineers and hopes that Volvo’s CEO gave during a presentation in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Hakan Samuelsson, Volvo’s CEO, said that their vision is by 2020; nobody will be seriously injured or killed in the new Volvo cars. However, with 2020 just a few months away from today, the company stands with substantial investments in research and developments, as more people continue to recommend their cars for safety.

Despite the automaker currently being recognized as a pioneer in safety technology, the engineers said they wouldn’t cease to make their cars even better. Speaking in an interview, Jim Nickols, Volvo’s North American productions and Technology manager, explained why the automaker emphasizes safety. He revealed that back in 1927 when the company started, the founding engineers implied that people drive vehicles and so safety must remain a priority.

Volvo, being in the first line of the automakers who are working tirelessly to develop the electric as well as autonomous cars, has already come up with compelling features in their new vehicles.

And of course, by considering their founding engineers’ mission, these new technologies are still focused on one single purpose_ the car’s safety.

Sure the Swedish automaker has delivered the best for their market. Let’s see how;

1. Intellisafe Assist

Designed for your driving enjoyment, Intellisafe assist is a suite of features that include pilot assist, adaptive cruise control, curve speed adaptation, and distance alert.

When it comes to pilot assist, the system delivers enhanced speed, precise position in the lane as well as distance keeping. Luckily, it has a positive effect in case a crash is about to happen, by applying emergency brakes and automatically steering away.

Volvo crash avoidance: pilot assist

Additionally, pilot assist works at speeds up to 130km/h, most useful on the highways. For the EU and US, intellisafe assist is connected to the navigation system and has an “electronic horizon” function that enhances accuracy in negotiating the corners. Moreover, in western European, the curve speed adaptation function uses map data that helps the driver negotiate corners comfortably.

For safety, however, Volvo Company advises when using pilot assist, you should keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road at all times.

On the other hand, adaptive cruise control helps you maintain your present gap to vehicles in front of up to 200km/h. As such, this function remains a supportive partner in reducing driver’s strain on roads.

The system works by selecting the time gap to the vehicle in front as well as the desired speed. And when the radar sensors detect the car in front is slowing down, the speed of your car automatically adapts to that of the vehicle in front. However, when the road is clear, the car resumes the desired speed. Great, indeed!

Volvo’s adaptive cruise control

On distance alert, the function works with the help of the Head-Up Display (HUD). As such, if the adaptive cruise control is disengaged, the distance alert takes control. And if the vehicle in front slows down, for instance, the system activates a warning the help you keep a distance for safety.

2. Intellisafe Surround

Intellisafe surround is comprised of high technology features that are designed to give you reassurance and peace of mind while on your ride.

One of the significant features is Blind Spot Information (BLIS) with steer assist. This safety feature uses radar sensors to detect approaching vehicles from behind, either on the left or right lane.

And once BLIS detects the approaching vehicle, a light on the door mirror on the lane the vehicle is approaching from, flashes to warn you. The light, however, stays lit until the blind spot is clear.

However, in case you indicate to change the lane on the side that the vehicle behind is approaching from, the door mirror light illuminates. This technology has minimized collisions with overtaking vehicles.

Another significant feature is cross-traffic alert with auto brake. This feature will give you awareness of the potential road users behind you when reversing. With the help of the radar sensors on the rear bumper of the car, the system can scan up to 30 meters to detect approaching cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Cross-traffic alert

And in case of hazard, you’ll be alerted by a warning sound from the left or right speakers of your car; in correspondence with the side, the danger is detected. Hold your horses; a visual warning on the center display takes effect in the event too.

It’s apparent; this feature has helped the drivers in easy reversing out of the parking as well as improvement on the other road users’ safety.

Being hit by the vehicle from behind is so common in the present days. However, Volvo engineers came up with the solution to this by introducing rear collision warning technology. With the help of radar sensors, if the vehicle from behind approaches at a very close distance, your Volvo car flashes the hazard lights at a higher rate to alert its driver.

Rear collision warning

Moreover, if the collision can’t be avoided, the system tensions the front seat belts before the impact. Also, the system activates brakes to reduce strain.

This feature is connected to the seat belts for assistance in positioning the occupants in advance, in case of the impact. In addition, the system is designed to exert a pulling force over your shoulder in case of a crash. Afterward, the belt tension is automatically released in case the impact is avoided.

3. Intellisafe Standard

It’s standard equipment in all Volvo cars as well as the main element that has made the team achieve their safety vision. Intellisafe standard has the main features that reduce exposure to conflict, making your ride enjoyable.

When it comes to city safety, your Volvo car will exclude you from dangers of hitting pedestrians, large animals, and other vehicles by use of its radar sensors and camera technology. In case the sensors detect any object ahead, the system will warm you immediately. And in case you don’t react on time, it will automatically apply brakes to keep you from danger.

Crossing cyclist detection

See, at a speed difference of up to 50km/h between your car and the vehicle in front, collision will be avoided in case you don’t quickly react to the warning. On the other hand, at a higher speed, dangers can be mitigated by steering you away.

Volvo’s aim, as I earlier stated, is to help avoid or mitigate accidents before they occur. However, in the event of unavoidable dangers, the engineers have come up with a new technology that will help achieve this dream.

Let’s see;

A safety cage: The complete cage around all the passengers and the driver is designed with high strength steel with a maximum occupants’ protection from all types of crashes.

Seats: To ensure there are safety and comfort, seats are made of different grades of iron. However, the energy-absorbing functionality between the seat and its frame will help reduce spine injuries in case of a crash. In simple, it deforms mechanically to reduce the effects of the vertical force that can arise.

Airbags: The vehicles contain a range of airbags designed to protect you and other occupants in case of an accident. Airbags include; driver airbags located in the steering wheel, front passenger airbags on the dashboard, inflated curtain, and side airbags.

Safety belts: Since 1959, when Volvo’s three-point safety belts were introduced, the technology has greatly helped the passengers using them as well as the front occupants. Invented by engineer Nils Bohlin, three-point safety belts have been a significant invention for humankind.

Run off-road protection: The car’s advanced sensor system detects a run-off-road scenario, and the front seat belts tighten to keep the driver and the passenger in position.

4. The Child Safety

With safety as the number one priority in the manufacturing of Volvo cars, child safety hasn’t been left behind. Volvo’s approach to child safety includes carrying out necessary tests based on real-life traffic situations.

The vehicles have an advanced airbag technology on the front seat, and now they recommend traveling with children seated at the front seat. After research, however, the manufacturers recommend children up to the age of 4 years to sit facing backward for safety.

Additionally, Volvo cars’ child’s seat combines all the aspects researched about safety with appealing designs for all ages. Moreover, they are made with 80% breathable wool fabrics, which make children enjoy the rides comfortably.

A child seat in Volvo car

Eventually, with this unique safety technology, you’ll protect what is important to you with high confidence behind the wheel. Sure, no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car.

Salute to the engineers!

Peterson Mwingirwa

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Hey, I’m an auto blogger who believes in the power of fact-based words. I take the time to do writing that converts, and that’s why my blogs are worth reading!

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