Volvo's "City Safety" detects collisions, can steer out of the way

Volvo has just come out with its own version of collision detection technology, calling it "City Safety," and aims to release this new feature on some models within two years. The technology works via an optical radar in the upper windshield that calculates the distance and speed of the car immediately ahead of you (and it does it 50 times per second), then engages the brakes accordingly if the system detects that a crash is imminent. Of course, Toyota came out with a similar setup that was announced back in August, but Volvo's apparently has the added benefit of being able to "steer away from a potential collision" as well. We weren't really into the idea of turning over braking control to computers at first, either, but steering? We'll stick to walking, thanks.

[Via Gizmag]

[jpxdude @ Dec 8th 2006 5:10AM]

I wonder how long it'll be until we get Minority Report-esque cars on the streets?

I don't like the idea of automatic steer either...seems like a disaster waiting to happen. Hope it detects pedestrians too! :-/

[GhostDoggy @ Dec 8th 2006 5:18AM]

Here is a novel idea, how about not driving in a manner to get yourself involved in the accident in front of you?

[Pete @ Dec 8th 2006 5:28AM]

'but Volvo's apparently has the added benefit of being able to "steer away from a potential collision" as well'

I don't see that quote in the article, nor does it mention the system affecting steering at all... Here's what it said in the linked article:

'The system will use an optical radar in the upper windshield to sense the proximity and speed of the car ahead 50 times per second and automatically engage the brakes to reduce the impact of a rear-end collision or avoid one altogether. Drivers will be able to turn the system off with a switch near the steering wheel.'

Was it misunderstood, or is there more information that wasn't directly linked?

[engadget @ Dec 8th 2006 5:50AM]

Some poor tail-gating idiots are going to be driving around with this system engaged all day long -- yippee! :)

[Troy @ Dec 8th 2006 6:20AM]

"If a car in front suddenly brakes or is stationary, the system will automatically pre-charge the brakes to help the driver avoid an accident by slowing down in time, or steering away from a potential collision. However, if a collision is imminent, the system will activate the car�s brakes automatically.
"

This is not as you are reporting, Volve's a very safe car and has no steering as you report, seems like sloppy reporting to me. Did you read it?

[Shah Kanaw @ Dec 8th 2006 6:38AM]

"(you)'ll stick to walking"? Uh, ya gonna walk on the freeway for the 25-mile commute? Moron.

[Michael Bailey @ Dec 8th 2006 6:48AM]

You know, I just dreamed last night I was driving a car that had those capabilities... It must be prophetic...

[Kim Laughton @ Dec 8th 2006 6:59AM]

Misreporting and then making negative knee jerk assumptions about a gadget? On a website dedicated to�gadgets?

Best stick to walking, and be sure to bring a few cassettes for your portable music player.

[Trevor @ Dec 8th 2006 7:18AM]

Does this also detect if there is a car next to you or even behind you? I can just see this car slamming on the brakes and steering you into the next lane to avoid hitting the car in front of you and in the process hitting both the car behind and next to you.

[zool @ Dec 8th 2006 8:13AM]

steer you away from danger - i would bloody hope the radar is capable of detecting motorbike and cycleists as well,

so you are a cr@p driver and are going to crash so the car steers you away from the car in front into a softer target like a pedestrian, well as long as the driver is ok, thats all that matters...me @rse

[Matt @ Dec 8th 2006 8:22AM]

Did you guys read the article? It mentions steering right here in the article:

"If a car in front suddenly brakes or is stationary, the system will automatically pre-charge the brakes to help the driver avoid an accident by slowing down in time, OR STEERING AWAY FROM A POTENTIAL COLLISION. However, if a collision is imminent, the system will activate the car�s brakes automatically."

No, there isn't a whole lot beyond that, but it's still in there so therefore I don't feel it was misreported. In fact, kudos to the reporter for catching it.

[supermerio @ Dec 8th 2006 8:33AM]

Its not always you that drives in an un-safe manner. It can be one of the other few million road users. Pre Charged breaking is a great idea unless of course some of you super human drives out there can beat a computers reaction speed? Veering out the way to avoid collisons sounds like it has the potential to cause harm but if it was up to you I'm pretty sure in the few split seconds before you crashed youd try and avoid the car in front? And maybe even hit a dog/pedestrian/bike on the way... It can't be a bad thing but I guess theres only way to find out. Pre order :oD

[steveg @ Dec 8th 2006 8:39AM]

The press report is badly worded:
"If a car in front suddenly brakes or is stationary, the system will automatically pre-charge the brakes to help the driver avoid an accident by slowing down in time, OR STEERING AWAY FROM A POTENTIAL COLLISION. However, if a collision is imminent, the system will activate the car�s brakes automatically."
This means the driver will be doing the steering, not the car.
Furthermore, without radar on either side, how would the car know which way to turn? Where's a ditch, where's a ravine? This car does no automatic steering, because it is only aware of objects in front of it.

[supermerio @ Dec 8th 2006 8:47AM]

haha every drive would be like a rollercoaster ride.

[Gordy @ Dec 8th 2006 8:50AM]

Optical radar?

[Genome @ Dec 8th 2006 10:13AM]

in general Radars use radio waves to locate an object,
radio waves and light are both kinds of electromagnetic radiation.

so in theory it would be possible to make a radar that used optical waveband wavelengths, but i cant see the benefits (apart from price)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum

[Wonderboy @ Dec 8th 2006 9:06AM]

I read it the way Steveg is reading it... it's helping the driver avoid collision by pre-charging the brakes (car doing it) to help slow down (driver doing it) or steer out of the way (driver doing it). If collision is imminent, the system will activate brakes automatically (car doing it).

Not that I like the idea any more... but I don't think they're doing any more than Toyota.

[Jon @ Dec 8th 2006 9:21AM]

While I think automatic steering could be a disaster, I'd love to see a similar device that disengages the gas pedal or automatically slows the car when the driver is following too closely (tailgating, aggressive driving, road rage, etc.).

It would make our roads so much safer
Jon
http://www.theDCtraveler.com

[Brian @ Dec 8th 2006 9:44AM]

phtt... Now where's the thrill in that?

[snowglyder @ Dec 8th 2006 9:56AM]

When I see a picture illustrating a car that can brake and steer to avoid collisions, and there are only sensors shown on the front... no thanks. I'll just put my grandma in the passenger seat so she can jerk the wheel when she's scared.

[blogsmitherines @ Dec 8th 2006 10:03AM]

this is really getting out of control. there really needs to be a self imposed limit to how far technology enters a drivers life. Engineers should really be focusing on ways to improve the way people drive i.e. making them better drivers, not finding ways of distancing themselves from the entire thing. The very fact that driving has an element of danger is what makes most people pay attention. Reliance on the machine isn't always a good thing.

[Andy @ Dec 8th 2006 11:01AM]

A "radar" that used the visible spectrum would be your eyes or a camera, aided by a flashlight or spotlight. Radio waves are used because they go through most stuff (like clouds and fog) that impedes visibility, and can "see" in total darkness.

[Genome @ Dec 9th 2006 6:19AM]

Yep Andy I agree, I meant I cant see the benefits of using optical radar instead of the traditional radio waves.
Id rather have a car that can see through fog and mist.

[Pinkerton @ Dec 8th 2006 12:07PM]

Is this the new Bizzaro-Volvo C30? A car that improves safety by steering you away from a light fender-bender, and into oncoming traffic.

All kidding aside, why does this Volvo C30 (compact) appear to dwarf every other car on the road?

[SjG @ Dec 8th 2006 12:29PM]

Actually, from the illustration, it's clear that "Optical Radar" is a code-word for "Jetta-Vaporizing Death Ray."

Which, as most drivers would agree, is a better safety measure anyway. Why avoid hitting an obstacle if you can just convert it into a millisecond-duration cloud of plasma? Throw a little heat shielding into your paint mix, and you're ready for the 405* at rush hour.

(*non-Angelenos can substitute their freeway/highway/turnpike/autobahn of choice)

[M B @ Dec 8th 2006 3:31PM]

If it can steer out of the way then the collision wasnt really imminent then was it? I doubt this system would make it to production, the liability is too large, especially in the US where everyone is always eager to place blame with a lawsuit.

[Neebs @ Dec 8th 2006 4:13PM]

...increasing the number of side-scrapes.

[Isaac @ Dec 8th 2006 4:39PM]

SjG: I'd rather have a Jetta-see-throughing X-Ray... some of those Jetta driving hippie/punk girls are pretty cute. But the disintegrating death ray would be pretty neat... I'll bet the Click'n'Clack Brothers would love it, it would be an instant hit with their Anti-Jetta following.

Engadget: I love the site, but seriously, if you're going to post about something, pleeeeease read the article about it first! (of course, I say this without having read the article myself...)

As an emergency feature, it's pretty neat. Mix it with ABS and I'd feel safer. However, that being said, I'm still in favor of requiring stricter training and testing to get a driver's license. People need to learn to drive properly before getting behind the wheel of a car, regardless of the safety features in the car. In fact, this could make it worse if you get people who start relying on it, even if to a small extent. Don't argue with me, I've had people tell me they feel safer driving faster and tailgating because they have ABS and an airbag. I want to slap every single one of them.

[Murc @ Dec 9th 2006 4:32AM]

stupid. nuff said.

[fera @ Dec 13th 2006 12:50PM]

The Mercedes S is allready equipped with such device and if i m not mistaken the Audi A8 offers a prettysimilar future.

Ergo: No news.

[Semibaka @ Dec 26th 2006 7:21AM]

@Trevor: Duh, yeah i'm sure they never thought of that?

What worries me is when people start becoming reliant on these things... no more mirror checks for me! its bad enough as it is!

[tajohn4u @ Mar 10th 2009 9:01PM]

so the car applies the brakes by compter now what happens in the case that the person in back of u is up your bumper too now he slams into you. This is a stupid idea and that comes from a guy who has been an automotive tech for 16 years , hell they cannot even get the engine control computers to work correctly .