Volvo is set to unveil an all-new XC90 in late 2014 for the 2015 model year. And for the next year or so, the Swedish automaker will be teasing the features of the new full-size SUV. This morning Volvo revealed several new safety technologies that it calls “world-class” set to be incorporated into the 2015 XC90.
“We are introducing the first Volvos with autonomous steering to avoid accidents and make driving more comfortable,” said Senior Safety Advisor Volvo Car Group Thomas Broberg in a prepared statement.
Firstly, the all-new XC90 will have autonomous steering capabilities, which will be implemented in several ways. In a new system called “Road edge and barrier detection with steer assist,” the autonomous steering will be able to apply steering torque to get the vehicle back on track should sensors detect if the car is about to drive off the road. Unlike similar systems from other automakers, the Volvo system does not rely on roadside markings but can rather read where the roadway physically ends.
This autonomous torque steering technology will be applied to next-gen Adaptive Cruise Control. Automatically following the car ahead, the 2015 XC90 will not only follow the flow of traffic but also the roadway itself.
On the latest S60 model, Volvo premiered Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake. The previous version of the technology neither worked after dusk nor did it detect animals. On the new XC90 the system adds in the ability to detect pedestrians as well as animals in the dark as well as in the daylight.
“When the first XC90 was introduced in 2002, it featured a number of groundbreaking safety features, including a world-first solution that helps prevent rollovers. By revealing a number of systems for the next generation XC90 we once again confirm our leadership in automotive safety,” said Thomas Broberg.