Volvo Device Automatically Slams The Brakes When It Spots Pedestrians, Cyclists In Car’s Path

CBSLA.com) ^ | March 5, 2013 11:39 PM

[BenLurkin]

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — Volvo has unveiled a new cutting-edge device that automatically slams the brakes of a car when it spots and identifies pedestrians and cyclists in its pathway.

The high-definition cameras, which are located in the rear-view mirror and the car’s radar, first sends the driver warning lights and sounds when a person or bicyclist comes too close to the vehicle.

If the driver fails to react, that’s when the car will then come to a stop.

“Volvo has always been the leader in safety. They invented the three-point safety belt back in the 1950s. Take that forward thinking and that’s where we are today,” said Will Saunders of Volvo of Santa Monica.

Drivers believe the new technology could make a difference in people’s lives in today’s world of distracted motorists.

“If you could have that one extra signal or device that would maybe put the brakes on a little earlier, that would be great,” said driver Neal Davis.

According to Volvo, the radar device will be available in May and become standard in all of its 2014 models.

[Paladin2]

Or disable the automatic portion of the brake system.

[muawiyah]

We drive the Prince William Parkway frequently and have seen several instances of the ABS keeping a clearly drunk driver ON THE ROAD rather than letting her drive into a ditch.

There's that 'swerve' they almost always get into and ABS puts on the brakes when that happens.

[Caipirabob]

Future movie scene: target drives new nanny state vehicle. Hit man tosses out mannequin doll and stops vehicle dead in its tracks...opens fire...

[cookcounty]

"Yeah, I was thinking all is going swimmingly until the auto breaks activate you come to an abrupt stop and the car behind you slams into you, rear ending you. Indeed what can go wrong?"

As a 25-year professional driver, let me say that there have been many many times when an abrupt stop would have been the wrong answer to something coming in your way, ......a deft "sidestep" was far more safe.

[Paladin2]

These systems can have a number of other features, like Lane Keeping Assistance in addition to resistance to more violent manuevers like roll over and spin minimization.

Autonomous vehicles have been demonstrated in recent years and that is the future. I will welcome a vehicle that can be it's own valet parker.

[jiggyboy]

“drivers utilized the more sophisticated brakes for higher speeds and harder braking, not for greater safety.”

http://psyc.queensu.ca/target/chapter07.html

[Fresh Wind]

I’ll bet you’re really looking forward to the Googlemobile self-driving car.

[RegulatorCountry]

If all cars have it, arrogant pedestrians will just step off the curb at will, pleased to have impeded you and spilling your coffee. Carjacking gets very easy, too.

[Conservative4Ever]

Good to know I have doing it correct all my driving years, thanks. :-)

[Grampa Dave]

“Now I can drive a little faster and be a little less attentive, because I know my Volvo will stop itself if necessary.”

Out here in Californicator land, Volvo drivers seem to fall into two categories:

1. My Volvo is super safe, and I can do really stupid things while driving it over any speed limit.

2. Then, the opposite, Volvos are intended to drive several miles below the speed limit and in the fast/passing lane if possible. These are driven the Green freaks.

We know one family that falls into both categories. The 3 males who have each destroyed a Volvo station wagon are in the first category.

The women, mother/daughter, fall into the second category.

The guys are now working on destroying a Pius/male. They have totalled 2 so far. Their 6 year old Tundra looks like a vehicle that was entered into a lot of crash a ramas. Their insurance agent probably takes a lot of cruise with their insurance has banned them from driving their Tundra except in their vineyard and will not insure any of the males in a Volvo.

[wolfman23601]

Let’s hope it goes better than their Electronic Throttle Module fiasco in the 99-01 vehicles. I won’t be their beta test group this time.

[null and void]

A way for bad people to safely stop you and rob you? Works perfectly...

[Gay State Conservative]

My car has a feature which,with the use of several sensors (? including radar),will partially apply (in some emergency cases) or fully apply (in other cases) the brakes.I’ve never figured out the exact details but it sounds worthwhile.In fact,a guy on an enthusiast board I frequent says that that system deployed in a really bad situation he found himself in and he said it worked beautifully and that he’s now a firm believer in the technology.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Can’t wait to see how this ‘slam on the brakes’ system works on snow and ice.

Or maybe I can wait.

[Vinnie]

A friend has a Volvo SUV. It will apply the brakes if he comes up on the back of a car, wall etc.
Guess this is a refinement to smaller objects.

[capt B]

In NYC the car will be stopping every 10 ft

[wolfman23601]

I don’t think I can out think a computer; however, I’d rather spend $30 to replace a broken mechanical part than $2,000 to replace a malfunctioning computer. I think that is the issue most people have. If I had the money, I would reinvent the basic automobile with interchangable parts, 3 hoses, and no wires. I would then charge about $3,000 for it brand new and make a fortune. Bells and whistles are nice when they are working, but most people just want to get from Point A to Point B.

[Bigh4u2]

"What could go wrong?"

The 'new' Volvo...



:0)

[null and void]

So when car jackers want to make sure you don’t drive off with your own car, they’ll pick this car?

What carjacker would want this turkey?

[SgtHooper]

Or kids tossing or holding stick figgers in the right spot to laff at the car slammin on the brakes.