Photo: Volvo
Volvo is one of the many manufacturers caught up in the battle to build the best autonomous car, but unlike Tesla, the Swedish company made it very clear we won't be seeing any of this technology implemented on a production car before it can be sure it is 100 percent safe for everyone on the road.
That means that we currently have no idea how far down the line Volvo is, but we do know a few things. For example, Volvo set 2021 as its target for delivering its autonomous car. And we know it plans to begin testing its cars soon. And we also know it has signed a partnership with Uber. It looks like we know more than we initially thought.
Volvo also made it very clear that when its self-driving vehicles hit the market, they will have redundant systems for everything to make sure that if anything fails, the passengers and other road users remain perfectly safe. Well, that's the plan, at least.
Of course, some of the features that will make 2021 Volvos autonomous will be making their way onto production cars in the meantime, and one such system is the vehicles' ability to talk to each other. Volvo promises that all of its 90 series models (XC90, S90, and V90 in both its standard ad Cross Country versions) will be able to exchange some information by the end of the year, Automotive News says.
The system is similar to the one fitted to the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class and acts completely independent from the driver. It can detect possible hazards such as a slippery surface or an obstacle on the road and convey that information to vehicles nearby. The cars don't have to be in direct contact with each other as Volvo's system is cloud-based, so all it requires is an internet connection.
Of course, other car makers are working on similar features on their cars, and soon enough, the need for a unified version will undoubtedly arise. The benefits of all cars speaking the same language would be immense, but a close cooperation between otherwise competing companies is required. It remains to be seen if the greater good will managed to overcome the existing rivalries.
Volvo also made it very clear that when its self-driving vehicles hit the market, they will have redundant systems for everything to make sure that if anything fails, the passengers and other road users remain perfectly safe. Well, that's the plan, at least.
Of course, some of the features that will make 2021 Volvos autonomous will be making their way onto production cars in the meantime, and one such system is the vehicles' ability to talk to each other. Volvo promises that all of its 90 series models (XC90, S90, and V90 in both its standard ad Cross Country versions) will be able to exchange some information by the end of the year, Automotive News says.
The system is similar to the one fitted to the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class and acts completely independent from the driver. It can detect possible hazards such as a slippery surface or an obstacle on the road and convey that information to vehicles nearby. The cars don't have to be in direct contact with each other as Volvo's system is cloud-based, so all it requires is an internet connection.
Of course, other car makers are working on similar features on their cars, and soon enough, the need for a unified version will undoubtedly arise. The benefits of all cars speaking the same language would be immense, but a close cooperation between otherwise competing companies is required. It remains to be seen if the greater good will managed to overcome the existing rivalries.
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