City Safety, Volvo’s pioneering suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), is designed to prevent or mitigate the severity of collisions. This comprehensive system utilizes radar and camera technology to detect potential hazards and automatically apply brakes when necessary, playing a crucial role in Volvo’s commitment to safety. City Safety has been a standard feature on all Volvo vehicles since the 2017 model year. This commitment to including potentially life-saving technology as standard equipment underscores Volvo’s dedication to protecting its drivers and passengers.
Evolution of Volvo’s City Safety Technology
Volvo Cars has been a leader in automotive safety innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries of crash prevention technology. The first generation of City Safety, introduced in 2008, provided low-speed automatic braking. Over time, the system has evolved significantly, expanding its capabilities to address a wider range of collision scenarios.
City Safety’s initial focus was on mitigating rear-end collisions in city traffic. However, continuous development has led to the inclusion of features like pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as automatic braking at intersections. These advancements demonstrate Volvo’s dedication to addressing real-world accident scenarios.
Key Features of City Safety to Avoid a Volvo Crash
City Safety operates at all speeds, providing continuous monitoring of the vehicle’s surroundings. Key functionalities include:
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Intersection Auto Braking: A world-first technology that detects potential collisions with oncoming vehicles when turning left (or right in left-hand traffic). This feature addresses a common accident scenario at busy intersections.
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Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection: City Safety can detect pedestrians and cyclists who may cross the vehicle’s path, automatically braking to avoid or mitigate a collision. The system can even detect pedestrians at night thanks to its advanced sensor technology.
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Oncoming Vehicle Mitigation: The system can detect oncoming vehicles in the same lane and automatically brake to help avoid head-on collisions or reduce their severity. This is particularly crucial on rural roads and highways.
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Rear-End Collision Avoidance: City Safety helps prevent or mitigate rear-end collisions by warning the driver and automatically braking if a collision is imminent.
How City Safety Works to Minimize Volvo Crash Risk
City Safety relies on a sophisticated combination of camera and radar technology mounted at the top of the windshield. This sensor fusion allows the system to accurately detect and classify objects in the vehicle’s path, determining their distance, speed, and trajectory. The system works in various lighting conditions, including darkness.
When a potential collision is detected, City Safety provides the driver with audible and visual warnings, along with a haptic warning through a pulsating brake pedal. If the driver fails to react, the system automatically applies the brakes to avoid or mitigate the impact. This multi-stage warning system provides ample opportunity for driver intervention while ensuring automatic protection if needed.
The Impact of City Safety on Road Safety
City Safety has been shown to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of accidents. By addressing common collision scenarios, this technology contributes to Volvo’s vision of a future with zero fatalities or serious injuries in their vehicles. This commitment to safety extends beyond Volvo’s own vehicles, as the development and implementation of these technologies can influence industry standards and inspire other manufacturers to prioritize safety.
In conclusion, City Safety represents Volvo’s commitment to developing and implementing innovative safety technologies. This comprehensive suite of features helps to protect drivers, passengers, and other road users by proactively preventing accidents and mitigating the consequences of unavoidable collisions. By continually improving and expanding the capabilities of City Safety, Volvo strives to create a safer driving environment for everyone.
