Volvo's Automatic Braking System for Semi-Trucks

Volvo Trucks Global is taking a step into the future with its new automatic braking system. The company has created a Collision Warning/Early Braking system for its trucks. This development, as detailed in Business Insider, is designed for trucks to brake automatically if they get too close to other vehicles in front of them. A sensor on the front “sees” the road ahead, and brakes the truck on its own, if it gets too close to the car in front of it. 
 
When braking, an alarm sounds and a display light activates on the dashboard, anticipating the truck’s sudden stop. The truck’s back taillights flash like hazards when the automatic braking system is in use, alerting drivers behind the truck, so that drivers behind can avoid a rear end car crash. All this for a truck carrying 40 tons of cargo!   

The primary goal of Volvo working to make automated features for semi-trucks is to increase auto safety. Hayder Wokil, Autonomous and Automated Driving Director for Volvo Trucks, said, “We are focused on solutions that can make difficult, repetitive and time-consuming tasks easier for all concerned.” The latest technological improvement will affect other drivers on the road, beyond just the truck drivers. In 2015, almost 64% of fatal crashes involving large trucks also involved two other vehicles, as found in an analysis by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In other words, other drivers are at risk of injury or death from a semi-truck accident. Developments like automated truck brakes may improve the safety of truck crashes for all drivers. 
 
Worldwide, companies like Volvo are using trucks to minimize harvest damage that human-operated trucks create, utilizing automatic garbage trucks, and enlisting self-driving delivery trucks to bring packages to people’s doorsteps. With so many possibilities for advancement, the automated truck industry will likely see rapid growth in the coming years. It will be exciting to watch consumer fears grow into fascination, as more and more automotive companies focus on turning even the biggest trucks on the road into a safer form of transportation in the near future. 

Volvo's automatic braking system for semi-trucks will make stopping suddenly much easier for truck drivers, helping drivers behind them avoid rear end car accidents. If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, contact The Michigan Law Firm, PC at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. Our skilled attorneys can tell you if you are eligible for any compensation under Michigan law. 

Volvo Projects Completely Autonomous Cars by 2020

Volvo is hoping to put its money where its mouth is, in the very near future. The Swedish car manufacturer told Tech Insider its autonomous systems will have the capabilities and safety features to be able to operate without driver supervision by the year 2020. This prediction differs from those of many other auto companies who have promised semi-autonomous vehicles (cars in which the driver still needs to pay attention to the road), in the same time frame. 

Volvo is using Nvidia’s GPU-based “Deep-Learning” system with its “DriveMe” program, which will be launched in London, Gothenburg, Sweden, and a handful of cities in China, by 2017. Families who wish to participate in the program will be asked to drive the Volvos in varying road and traffic conditions, as well as different terrains. During their drive, the Deep-Learning system will be able to capture data and sync it with the software, allowing the vehicle to learn and become smarter the more it drives. Drivers will need to supervise the driving during the test runs, but it will be a major step towards having completely autonomous vehicles. 

“What is unique with DriveMe, is that we are not only building a concept car or doing demos, we are really doing research to help us understand how we can bring self-driving cars to the real world, to public roads with ordinary customers behind the wheel,” Erik Coelingh, Senior Technical Leader for Safety and Driver Support Technologies told Digital Trends, “...by accomplishing that objective, we will learn about the reality of self-driving cars, that it’s not just a fantasy. We will learn about technology, we will learn about the human factors, and how self-driving cars will impact society.” 

According to Volvo, their projections show that by 2020 no one will be killed or seriously injured in one of its new cars. The car company also believes advantages of self-driving cars will be in the areas of safety, congestion, pollution, and time-savings. “Autonomous driving represents a leap forward in car safety. The sooner (self-driving) cars are on the roads, the sooner lives will start being saved,” Volvo CEO and President Hakan Samuelsson said. 

Unfortunately, for those living in the United States Volvo has stated that there are no plans at this time to include road testing in America due to the different laws and guidelines in the 50 states, which make it near impossible to complete thorough testing. 

Self-Driving cars are well on their way to becoming a mainstay in everyday transportation. In the meantime, drivers are at risk of being injured in an auto accident every time they get behind the wheel. If you or somebody you know has been involved in a car accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Injuries from these accidents can range from bruises to head injuries, and they may not even present themselves immediately following the crash. Our attorneys will work with you to identify the appropriate help you may need. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.