Volvo Looks to Detect Deer Before Drivers Do

SIMSBURY, CONN. (08/07/2012)(readMedia)-- Volvo is working hard to meet its 2020 goal that no one be seriously injured in a new car from the Swedish automaker, but that ambitious plan requires more than just looking out for humans and other vehicles. Addressing the thousands of accidents involving wild animals each year, Volvo is developing an Animal Detection technology that would allow its vehicles to identify four-legged obstacles during the day or night and automatically apply the brakes.

Many collisions with wild animals take place at cruising speeds around 65 mph, and Volvo's new technology aims to bring that speed down below 50 mph or so, where existing safety systems can greatly reduce the chance of serious injury to passengers. An extension of the automaker's pedestrian-protection system, Animal Detection is currently formatted to recognize the shapes and movement of larger animals like elk, horses and cattle by using significant amounts of continuously collected data.

"Volvo needs to perfect its detection of larger animals like horses first, but it intends to work down to smaller ones like deer, which most Connecticut drivers have had a close call with at one point or another," said Cliff Nichols, general sales manager of Mitchell Volvo, a Simsbury, CT Volvo dealer. "Each year, around 200 people are killed in impacts with wild animals in our country, not to mention the many animals that perish, so Volvo is once again developing relevant safety technology that could have a major impact on drivers in more rural areas."

As part of its unprecedented pledge to protect its passengers, Volvo is currently working on two other research projects, including Autonomous Driving Support and Intersection Support. Using a camera and radar sensors, Autonomous Driving Support helps vehicles follow the rhythm of traffic more safely and seamlessly by having the engine, brakes and steering react automatically to cars ahead. Meanwhile, Intersection Support uses sensors to catch human errors in traffic scenarios at intersections before trying to correct them or limit additional mistakes.

While car buyers may have to wait for Volvo's new research projects to go to market, the automaker continues to introduce new safety features across its lineup, including in its 2013 Volvo S60 sedan. The Technology Package in the 2013 S60 adds Road Sign Information, which displays upcoming traffic speed signs on the instrument cluster for the driver, as well as Active High Beam, which automatically switches off the high beams when cars approach from the opposite direction.

For those looking to stay safe in the Snow Belt, the Volvo S60 T5 is now available with all-wheel drive for the 2013 model year, extending all-weather capability to the entire S60 line-up. All buyers of the 2013 S60 are also able to take advantage of rain-sensing windshield wipers and headlight washers, which are both now standard features.

"The 2013 Volvo S60 is fully equipped to deal with anything that Mother Nature can throw at you during your commute, but it is also built to deliver a lot of fun when the roads are clear," added Nichols. "Even base T5 models produce 250 horsepower, and the added traction delivered by the new all-wheel drive S60 doesn't just mean safer driving in bad weather; it also means more dynamic handling when the sun's out."

About Mitchell Volvo in Simsbury:

Serving the Hartford area and beyond, Mitchell Volvo is staffed by an expert sales team committed to finding Connecticut Volvo shoppers the perfect vehicle to suit their needs. With its customer relationships extending well beyond each sale, Mitchell Volvo also offers top-quality Volvo repair and maintenance services, with a wide selection of Volvo parts and accessories. Browse their inventory of new and used vehicles online at www.mitchellvolvo.com, visit their dealership at 384 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MitchellVolvoSimsbury. They can also be reached by phone at 800-270-0122 with questions, feedback or test drive requests.