Volvo Adds World’s First Air Bag for Pedestrian Protection
- Posted on March 8, 2012 at 10:28pm by
Liz Klimas
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If you’re walking across the street and get hit by a car, you better hope it was a Volvo V40. Not only does the vehicle have a new feature as part of its “Intellisafe Volvos” that can sense a pedestrian in the first place to try and avoid collisions, but it also has the world’s first pedestrian airbag.
The pedestrian detection technology, according to a Volvo press release, can help avoid collisions altogether when the car is driving at 35 km/h (21.7 mph) or slower. Here’s how it works:
Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake is a technology that can detect if a pedestrian steps out into the road in front of the car. If the driver does not respond in time, the car can warn and automatically activate the brakes. No other car in this class features a similar technology.
Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake consists of a radar unit integrated into the car’s grille, a camera fitted in front of the interior rear-view mirror, and a central control unit. The radar’s task is to detect a pedestrian or vehicle in front of the car and to determine the distance to it. The camera determines what type of object it is.
[...]
If the driver does not react to the warning and a collision is imminent, full braking power is automatically applied.
A V40 sensing the presence of a pedestrian. (Image: Volvo)
V40 giving an auditory warning of a pedestrian ahead. (Image: Volvo)
If a collision with a walker is unavoidable, Volvo’s pedestrian airbag comes in handy. When the sensors on the front of the vehicle resister contact, the airbag inflates over the hood of the car in order to help reduce severity of injury.
Volvo's pedestrian airbag deploys from under the raised hood. (Image: Volvo)
Watch this ITN News report with animation of how the airbag works:
The Swedish car manufacturer also released new technology to help prevent vehicle-on-vehicle accidents. One of them is “city safe” technology, which like the pedestrian detection system alerts the driver to a vehicle that may be breaking ahead. In the event that the vehicle before you would break suddenly and you couldn’t react in time, the automatic breaking system would kick in.
The V40 has several sensors to improve the drivers awareness of surrounding vehicles and other objects. (Image: Volvo)
“The safety systems are intelligent and work together to make driving more pleasant and safe,” Thomas Broberg, senior safety advisor for Volvo, said in a statement. “They are designed to warn about threats. If necessary, they can also step in and intervene in critical situations. And, in some situations where the collision is unavoidable, there are safety features to help mitigate the consequences. However, this does not mean that these sophisticated systems take over the driving. Their main task is to assist the driver, thereby making the driving experience more comfortable and less complicated.”
[H/T Gizmodo]
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Mr.Fitnah
Posted on March 10, 2012 at 3:20amIm more interested in flame throwers and rail guns, walkers have to go.
Report Post »inferno
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 7:19pmGreat idea, especially if the driver is texting, while checking the dash nav system for the next watering hole while eating a Big Mac. Oh, those pesky pedeatrains.They always seem to be getting in the way !!
Report Post »inferno
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 7:19pmGreat idea, especially if the driver is texting, while checking the dash nav system for the next watering hole while eating a Big Mac. Oh, those pesky pedeatrains.They always seem to be getting in the way !!
Report Post »inferno
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 7:18pmGreat idea, especially if the driver is texting, while checking the dash nav system for the next watering hole while eating a Big Mac. Oh, those pesky pedeatrains.They always seem to be getting in the way !!
Report Post »TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 10:02amThe put “cow catchers” on the old steam trains…. would work for pedestrians too.
Report Post »I Aint PC
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 9:36amYou are supposed to yeild to a pedestrian in the crosswalk. If they are not in the crosswalk, they are fair game. Texting, listening to music, reading, ect while walking is as dangerous as doing those things while driving. If you are so into your own world while walking and do not pay attention to traffic signals, your butt deserves to get run over.
Report Post »1956
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 8:53amI want someone to create a vehicle that goes from running on a computer to the old fashioned engine that simply uses the mechanics cars were originally designed to use, in case of an EMP attack. How about that, car manufacturers!?!
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:47pmBuilding another false sense of security people will just drive more recklessly and if they hit someone they can blame the car and not the driver.
Democrat views never be held to responsibility.
Once behind the wheel you are responsible otherwise don’t drive.
UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED !
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 7:56amIs it… Bullet Proof?
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 7:55amThe new V40 is absolutely stunning!
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 10:08amBy the way, someone help me out. What is the name of the article with the video of the girl who is walking out onto the street while texting, and she gets hit by a car, and her foot gets stuck under the tire?
Report Post »80mesh
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 7:55amyou want safe drivers?
mount a big spike on the steering wheel
volvo just made it “comfortable” to sue you
Report Post »Ron Staiger
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 7:16amThey’d better install one in the roof because if the car is traveling 35-45mph, that’s where the pedestrian is going. Anything over 45mph, the pedestrian will not make secondary contact with the striking vehicle and unless it has one hell of a big net coming out of the rear bumper- well you get the picture.
Report Post »Flyingfish
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 5:50amFirst off, those of use with trucks and SUVs scoff at this proposal since you won’t have to worry about going over our vehicle but under, and second what happens when the majority of vehicles have this on the road? Pedestrians and drivers act stupid enough now, what will happen when their is a reduced threat and consequence for stepping out into the street without taking traffic into a account. I can see teenagers doing this just for a thrill and to annoy drivers as the car slams on the breaks automatically.
Report Post »Case_Logic
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 2:34amAt what speed range is the airbag effective? The big gap in the airbag so you can see who you hit seems like the place the pedestrian should avoid. Is the airbag bouncy enough to bounce the pedestrian into oncoming traffic or over the vehicle? Are you SOL if you hit an 8-point buck?
Wouldn’t it be better if they gave you a discount on your insurance, a AAA card and just scotch-guarded the vehicle?
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:06amLooks more like protection for the windshield; after the bumper breaks both of your legs it‘s so comforting to know that the car’s owner won’t have to replace his windshield..
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:02amSo after the Volvo hits me and I’m injured it deploys an air bag that bounces me into the traffic in another lane to be hit by another Volvo with an external airbag?
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 5:34amYes! It’s called volley pedestrian! It’s fun!
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 4:42pm@grannyrecipe
Report Post »I like it! : )
NeoMouser
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:02amsoon they wont need airbags. they will just cast the car in nerf foam
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:45pmI thought they straped Nancy Pelosie to the
Report Post »front bumper of a volt..
flagbearer
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:43pmA relative was hit by a taxi in NYC and was seriously injured. Liberal DEMS in NYC should require all taxi cabs to have them.
Report Post »freelancer91
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:32pmAnyone else think that Volvo is giving people an excuse to run over pedestrians? Just playing Devil’s advocate…..
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:18pmAnd this topic is related how? Do you even read the rules? Are you one of those Liberal trolls who feel you don’t have to follow the rules. You just post what you want where you want. If you can’t follow the rules GO AWAY.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:13pmis the military going to show up in Volvos?
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:11pmSeveral questions. Does snow(or anything object on the grill) stop the camera from seeing people? Can it be turned off?. Can the rear camera see through foggy windows(frosty or snow covered?.How accurate is the image reader?Seems a little scary to allow a vehicle to stop without having control.
Report Post »PrfctlyFrank
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:08pmAre you serious? Breaking system? Having to break?? Do you people have proof readers or is this just another adjustment to English grammar that got past me?? I’m sure the braking system of the car works just fine when they put on the brakes.. Sheesh this gets more scary everyday..
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:04pmSad to say congress will do nothing , the progs are complicit and the repubs are spineless.
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:03pmTo hell with the air bag just let the car keep score.
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