There’s something very uncomfortable about driving towards a lump of plastic shaped like a human being, even if you know it’s just a dummy. But it’s the best way to demonstrate genuine world-first technology, to which Volvo has given the catchy name ‘Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake’.
It does what it says on the tin; systems within the car monitor the road ahead and constantly sweep for anything shaped like a person. If the on-board computer doesn’t think you’ve seen him or her – ie, you don’t take avoiding action – it will give you a warning. If you still don’t swerve out of the way hold on for an emergency stop. At speeds of up to 22mph, Volvo claims it will avoid the accident, at faster speeds you will still hit but the impact will be mitigated.
No other car company in the world is offering this system, and at the moment it’s only on the all-new Volvo S60, which I drove last week. It’s a cost option – so you have to actively choose to buy it – and will spread to other models in the range in due course.
Having tried it out, I can confirm it works. At 21mph my test car’s front bumper ground to a halt a couple of inches from the dummy’s knees. So well done Volvo, which is continuing its impressive record of automotive safety innovation.
Volvo says it expects about 25 per cent take-up in the UK, but I wonder if that will be higher in China. Why? Firstly, because it’s a country with lots of pedestrians, and secondly, because as of last week, Volvo is no longer owned by US giant Ford, but by Chinese firm Geely.
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