Interior radar designed to avoid leaving loved ones behind
A world-first radar inside future Volvo cars aims to prevent inadvertently leaving anyone behind in a vehicle.
Volvo Cars has developed world-first technology designed to prevent deaths and serious injury from overheated vehicles.
The new radar system, which will be included in the forthcoming Volvo EX90 all-electric SUV, is intended to address a cause of terrible tragedy. Over five years to the end of 2021, 10 children died after being left in hot vehicles, according to Kidsafe Australia. In the US, more than 900 children have died since 1998.
“No one chooses to be distracted or tired, but we know it can happen,” said Lotta Jakobsson, Volvo Cars’ senior technical specialist in injury prevention. “We’re all human and distraction is a fact of life. With the help of cutting-edge technology, we’ll support you when you’re not at your best and help you avoid leaving family members or pets behind by accident.”
Volvo’s new interior radar system will first be rolled out as standard, where regulation allows, on the Volvo EX90 that will be revealed on November 9. The feature will also be included in other forthcoming Volvo car models.
With sensors integrated in the overhead console, the roof-mounted reading lamps and the trunk of the car, the new system is the first that can detect sub-millimetre movement in the entire interior of the car.
“We’ve always been a leader in safety, and we want to continue protecting lives by setting new standards in automotive safety,”
When a driver attempts to lock the car, they will receive alerts to help avoid leaving loved ones behind.
Every time a driver tries to lock the car, the interior radar system is activated and determines whether your car is empty of any people or pets, before it allows the car to be locked.
The car’s climate system can remain on if people or animals are detected in the cabin, to improve comfort. This can also help lower the risk of hypothermia or heatstroke.
“We’ve always been a leader in safety, and we want to continue protecting lives by setting new standards in automotive safety,” Jakobsson said. “That also means making you feel safe and giving you peace of mind. That type of emotional safety will help you enjoy life to the fullest, while at the same time helping you to prevent tragedies from happening.”
*The interior radar system will come as standard in all countries where the 60GHz frequency used by the system is approved for automotive use. We’re constantly working with individual markets to secure approval and will activate the system as and when approvals are granted.
The climate system will remain working as long as the high-voltage battery has enough charge.*
