VIDEO: Volvo's Threat Detection Tech With a 360-Degree View

A four-year vehicle research project in Sweden has produced new safety technology that uses software to identify safe escape routes in different traffic scenarios, Volvo Cars said.

Researchers built advanced sensor fusion technologies that can provide a seamless 360-degree view around a car. A centralized sensor fusion framework permits different systems – cameras, radar, lidar, GPS, etc. – to share information efficiently.

Launched in September 2010, the Non-Hit Car and Truck project brought together researchers from Volvo Cars, AB Volvo, ÄF Group, HiQ, Mecel and Chalmers University of Technology. The mission was to develop technologies that reduce accident risks for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The project is due to conclude in December.

The resultant technology works by constantly analyzing threats around the car. It can also assist drivers with auto-braking and steering to avert collisions. Project researchers built two test vehicles to demonstrate how the 360-degree view and maneuver generator work together.

“With the Non-Hit Car and Truck project, we’ve taken a significant step towards realizing the vision that by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car,” said Anders Almevad, project manager for the Non-Hit Car project at Volvo Cars. “The technology is also imperative for the development of self-driving cars, which will be able to automatically steer and brake to avoid collision with any object in any situation. Our primary objective is to focus on preventing different types of accident scenarios.”

To view a video explaining how the technology will work, click on the photo or link below the headline.