The AJAC recognizes the safety innovation of the Volvo EX90.
March 25 2024,
Staying true to its legacy of prioritizing safety, Volvo Cars has once again raised the bar with the all-new fully electric Volvo EX90. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) recently recognized this achievement, honouring the EX90's Safety Suite with the 2024 AJAC Best Safety Innovation Award. This prestigious accolade celebrates significant advancements in automotive innovation and technology, further cementing Volvo's position as a world leader in intelligent mobility solutions.
An Award-Winning Safety Innovator
The AJAC Innovation Awards are highly regarded in the industry for distinguishing the most cutting-edge developments in safety, technology, and eco-innovation. By clinching the Best Safety Innovation category, the Volvo EX90 outshone its competitors thanks to its revolutionary Safe Space Technology. This integrated suite combines advanced cameras, radars, ultrasonic sensors, and, crucially, standard lidar – an automotive first from Volvo.
"Safety and innovation are at the core of Volvo Cars, and we have always aimed to pioneer intelligent solutions in mobility to help protect what's important to people in their everyday lives," said Matt Girgis, Managing Director of Volvo Car Canada. "The team at Volvo Car Canada is honoured to be recognized by the members of AJAC for our commitment to putting safety first through our groundbreaking technology."
Unrivalled Sensing Capabilities
At the heart of the Volvo EX90's safety prowess lies its state-of-the-art sensor suite. Harnessing the power of NVIDIA DRIVE and Volvo's in-house software, this sophisticated system integrates data from multiple sources to create a real-time, 360-degree view of the vehicle's surroundings. The suite's advanced sensing capabilities extend beyond mere object detection, continuously monitoring the road ahead, even at highway speeds, and responding swiftly to potential hazards that human drivers might miss.
However, the EX90's safety net doesn't just focus on the external environment. With specialized sensors and cameras powered by proprietary algorithms, the system can gauge the driver's attentiveness and eye gaze concentration. If it detects signs of distraction, drowsiness, or inattentiveness, the car will issue escalating alerts, and in the event of an emergency, it can safely stop and call for assistance.
Lidar: A Game-Changer in Automotive Safety
A standout feature of the EX90 is its implementation of lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. This cutting-edge system uses pulsed laser light to measure distances with exceptional precision. It enables it to detect pedestrians up to 250 meters away and even discern small objects like tires on a dark road from 120 meters out. Remarkably, Volvo's research suggests that integrating lidar into an already safe vehicle can reduce severe accidents by up to 20% and improve overall crash avoidance by up to 9%.
The EX90's advanced sensor set, including its groundbreaking lidar, not only enhances current safety features but also lays the foundation for future autonomous driving capabilities. By fusing its understanding of the external environment with its newfound ability to monitor driver attention, Volvo is paving the way for a future where unsupervised driving becomes a reality.
"We believe the EX90 to be the safest Volvo car to ever hit the road," said Joachim de Verdier, head of Safe Vehicle Automation at Volvo Cars. "When all our safety systems, sensors, software, and computing power come together, they create a preventative shield of safety around you – and you won't even know it's there until you need it."
With the Volvo EX90, the Swedish automaker has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to safety and innovation. By pushing boundaries and integrating cutting-edge technologies like lidar, Volvo is paving the way for a future where automotive safety reaches unprecedented heights, ultimately benefiting drivers, passengers, and all road users.
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