This video from Volvo has racked up an astounding 3.5 million views since it was uploaded just around a week ago. We couldn’t tell why, until we hit the halfway point on the video. The sight of a Volvo FH with its trailer loaded to its maximum capacity of 40 tons GCW shedding speed autonomously while the cab rocks on its feet is simply incredible!
What’s more fascinating is the fact that the video shot from the inside isn’t half as scary, a fact our inside source from Volvo attests to. Volvo’s Collision Warning with Emergency Brake system works using radar and cameras to identify the vehicle up front.
The system works for both stationary and moving vehicles and with moving vehicles, the system works as long as the relative speed is less than 70kph.
“We don’t want to take over from drivers because we believe they are in the best position to respond, as they might be able to safely drive around the vehicle,” says Carl Johan Almqvist, Traffic & Product Safety Director, Volvo Trucks.
Staying true to this principle the system only initially warns the driver about the obstacle with a constant red flashing symbol on the windscreen, when the driver fails to respond (steering or braking), the red light starts flashing and a beeping sound tries to bring the driver’s attention back to the road. If all this fails the brakes are initially applied gently, and then applied to bring the behemoth of a truck to a complete halt.
All trucks makers in Europe are expected to have such systems in place by November 2015.
