Volvo has always tried to put itself at the forefront of safety innovations, and its latest foray into the world of crash prevention only furthers its efforts. The automaker recently announced the introduction of a braking technology that detects bicyclists and applies the brakes if a rider swerves out in front of a car.
According to AutoBlog, Volvo estimates that about 50 percent of all bicyclists killed in European traffic accidents collided with a car, and the number of injuries to cyclists in the U.S. was more than 52,000 in 2010 alone. The use of bikes as an economical and environmentally friendly mode of transportation is rising in the country, and this safety feature should help encourage people to bike when possible, USA Today reports.
"As the leader in automotive safety, we have been first in the industry with all detection and auto brake technologies, from the first-generation brake support in 2006 to pedestrian detection with full auto brake in 2010," said Doug Speck, a senior vice president at Volvo. "Our solutions for avoiding collisions with unprotected road users are unique in the industry."
One foreseeable issue with the new system is potential brake repair, as there would be a camera and delicate sensors involved. However, if the technology spreads to other automakers, a select auto repair franchise may become more adept at handling any problems.