As a Bike Accident lawyer based in St. Louis, this time of year means more cyclists in Missouri and Illinois are getting out on the roads, and unfortunately the rise of bike injuries. Please read the guest article below describing a new bike accident prevention system that hopefully we will start to see more car manufacturers put in place and thus making cycling a safer sport.
Volvo unveiled their pioneering technological safety system which detects, and automatically brakes for, cyclists swerving out in front of a car. This Cyclist Detection System is groundbreaking as it marks the world’s first automatic cyclist detection system for vehicles. At the Geneva Motor Show, Volvo announced their intentions to implement this technology into all of their vehicles which utilize pre-existing pedestrian detection systems to help avoid pedestrian accidents and injuries. As such this detection system will be available in the following models: Volvo V40, S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80.
How does it work?
The Cyclist Detection system is an evolution of previous Volvo safety technology systems. By utilizing a series of sensors which monitor pedestrian and cyclist activity in front of and near the vehicle, the system is able to automatically apply the brakes and stop the car to help avoid a bike accident. A radar unit is integrated within the car’s grille, alongside a central control unit as well as a camera which is fitted in front of the interior rear-view mirror. From this position, the radar is able to detect objects in front of the car and determine the distance between pedestrian and automobile. Moreover, the camera inside the car is able to determine the type of objects in front of the car. This dual-mode radar facilitates a wide field of vision, enabling the system to detect both pedestrians and cyclists more efficiently. Furthermore, the high-resolution camera is able to detect and monitor the moving pattern of pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, the central control unit continuously monitors and evaluates traffic conditions, for instance; any cars which are driving in the same lane. This cumulative action of radar and camera enables both systems to confirm a moving object before the automatic brakes are applied. Subsequently this highly advanced sensor technology will apply full braking power only when necessary and to its full capacity.
Benefits and praise of the system
This automotive brake system substantially reduces the risk of collisions between vehicles and cyclists. Furthermore, if a collision occurs, the action of applying the brakes as early as possible significantly reduces the severity of the impact. Jardine Motors have enthused about the road safety possibilities of Volvo’s new system, stating how the sensors can crucially “avoid or lessen the impact of a collision, cutting the risk of serious injury”.
Subsequently, this revolutionary technology, combined with their previous initiatives, have defined Volvo as the industry leader for automotive safety. Doug Speck, Volvo’s senior Vice President for marketing and sales, has stated how;
“As the leader in automotive safety, we have been first in the industry with all detection and auto brake technologies, from the first-generation brake support in 2006 to pedestrian detection with full auto brake in 2010”.
According to accident data, about 50% all cyclists killed in traffic have collided with a car. Doug Speck stated how Volvo’s new cyclist detection system endeavors to drastically lower these fatal statistics, revealing how;
“Our solutions for avoiding collisions with unprotected road users are unique in the industry. By covering more and more objects and situations, we reinforce our world-leading position within automotive safety. We keep moving towards our long-term vision to design cars that do not crash…This is the most extensive development of existing models in our company’s history. Each of the enhancements is designed around our customers’ needs. We have focused on quality and attention to detail in order to give these models a major boost and sharpen their competitiveness”.
Ultimately, this Cyclist Detection system highlights how automobile safety systems are continuously evolving to avoid pedestrian accidents. As technology becomes more advanced, motoring manufacturers such as Volvo are able implement more efficient measures which safeguard road users.
This article was written by guest author Bradley Taylor.
Injured in a bike accident, call the car accident attorneys in St. louis at Sansone & Lauber for a free consultation (314) 863-0500 or contact us online.
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