A new technology which provides advanced visibility has been introduced by Volvo Trucks. This innovative system scans the surroundings of the truck, evaluates information from several sources, and cuts the risk of accidents caused by reduced visibility. The principal aim of the development is to provide pedestrians and cyclists with safety, because they are the most vulnerable road users.
The most up-to-date technology which is actually a project called “Non-Hit Car and Truck” is the result of close cooperation of Volvo Trucks and Volvo Cars. It was planned that in the long run a Volvo truck would be able to evaluate risks of an accident by itself and suggest the best action to avoid it. If the driver doesn’t respond to the suggested actions, the braking and steering systems are activated in an autonomous mode. It has also been planned that all the “blind spots” that every vehicle has will be eliminated with the help of the present technology.
One of the most significant components of the new technology is a special data platform. Due to this platform the information received from cameras, radars and other equipment positioned on all sides of the vehicle is fused. Surrounding scanning will take place every 25 milliseconds, and meanwhile the information on the direction and distance to the road users (such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, etc.) will be sent to the driver.
At the moment the system is working in a test mode. But, however, it is expected that in 5 or 10 years the technology will become frequently used. As the representatives of Volvo Trucks say, the main components of the system already function, but a range of tests is necessary in order to make sure that the system if fault-free.