Sweden’s number one car manufacturer Volvo has won praise within the industry for its groundbreaking commitment to safety, and with the launch of their new smaller EX30 they look to have broken new ground once again.
Volvo’s new tech promises to make travelling safer for both those within and outside of the vehicle.
In urban areas, a notable proportion of cycling accidents can be attributed to the occurrence of car doors being unintentionally opened in the direction of a cyclist's path. In certain urban areas, incidents commonly referred to as "dooring accidents" comprise up to 20% of all documented bicycle accidents. Cycling UK reports that in the United Kingdom exclusively, approximately 60 individuals suffer fatalities or severe injuries annually as a result of car door-related incidents.
In order to mitigate such occurrences, the upcoming Volvo EX30 model is outfitted with a door-opening alert system. This system is designed to provide both visual and auditory cues to alert the driver when they are about to open the door in the presence of a passing cyclist or other traffic participant.
The EX30 is equipped with an advanced driver alert system that is included as a standard feature. This system is designed to monitor the driver's condition and provide assistance when the driver's performance is suboptimal.
Apart from the tactile detection mechanism present in the steering wheel, the vehicle is also equipped with a sophisticated sensor situated behind the steering wheel. This sensor employs robust algorithms to detect facial and ocular movements at a frequency of approximately 13 times per second. The EX30 has the capability to detect signs of distraction, drowsiness, or inattention in individuals, even if they are not consciously aware of them.
The newly implemented intersection auto brake feature in urban areas is intended to assist in the prevention of collisions at intersections. The automatic brake intervention feature is intended to bring the vehicle to a halt and reduce or prevent a collision in the event of an unforeseen crossing of another vehicle's path.
“We have long had a focus on safety in city environments where cars share space with pedestrians and cyclists,” said Åsa Haglund, the head of our Safety Centre. “With the Volvo EX30 we are taking city safety to the next level, creating a small SUV that is your perfect companion for a comfortable driving experience, while it looks after you and other people on the busy streets of modern cities.”