[Quietcars] Volvo pedestrian avoidance

[michael townsend]

Volvo has long been a proponent of safety, from its early introduction of
seatbelts n the 1960s, to crumple zones, to its innovative fuel injection
and electronic monitoring.  Recently, they introduced a toxicology reading
device or breatholoizer, that when activated if a person's alcohol blood
content were too high, forbids the operator to start the car and drive off.


Good for Volvo.  And, they are even making cars move more quickly and they
are stylish, too.  I recall fondly the old P180 serious, through the 122,
144, 240 series and newer, and these are good days.  I just wish that I knew
why ford was trying to sell them, and between them and Mazda, they have
saved Ford's ass in research and have brought new faces to their lineup, in
terms of revising Taurus, the 500, the Focus, Fusion, etc., and it would be
a shame for Ford to dismiss Volvo as they are probably going to do but who
knows why these stupid American car companies do what they do.  

Thanks, Bob.,  Good scouting and I appreciated your efforts.  

Mike T

 

-----Original Message-----
From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Robert Wilson
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 12:05 PM
To: Quiet Cars
Subject: [Quietcars] Volvo pedestrian avoidance


I spotted this bit of automotive news:

". . .
Volvo's longstanding
reputation for safety is being enhanced yet again on the S60 Concept.
Debuting on the concept and arriving in production cars later this year,
Volvo's new Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake system will actively try
to avoid collisions with other cars and pedestrians if the driver does not
respond to audio and visual warnings. A radar unit behind the grille and a
camera behind the rearview mirror work together to recognize the movement
patterns of a pedestrian straying out in front of the vehicle and give audio
warnings and display a red light on the heads-up display meant to look like
a brake light. If the driver fails to react, the car will apply full brakes
to minimize the collision, reducing the collision force by as much as 75%.
If the car is traveling less than 12 mph, the system can avoid the collision
entirely. In the event that the driver is about to rear-end another car
rather than hit a pedestrian, the system can react in the same manner.
If the speed difference between the cars is less than 15 mph, the system can
avoid a collision altogether.
. . ."

Obviously addressing pedestrian safety, it is part of the adaptive cruise
control that allows cars to follow and automatically maintain a safe
distance. But this technology also works to avoid pedestrians and other road
hazards. This is a 'win-win' solution because it provides something for
everyone.

Drivers see a reduction in their driving work load and improved highway fuel
economy. Safety at highway speeds is improved by safer following distances
and automatic reaction to changing conditions. Finally, all pedestrians,
blind and sighted, are detected with automatic vehicle braking to prevent
death and injury.

For those traveling to friends and family and also those who will be staying
home over Christmas and New Years, safe journey and happy holidays.

Bob Wilson

_________________________________________________________________
Life on your PC is safer, easier, and more enjoyable with Windows VistaR. 
http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/127032870/direct/01/
_______________________________________________
Quietcars mailing list
Quietcars at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/quietcars_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Quietcars:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/quietcars_nfbnet.org/mrtownsend%40opto
nline.net