Volvo's Project 360° is a suite of driver assistance technologies that the Swedish automaker hopes will totally eliminate deaths and injuries involving Volvo cars and trucks by 2020.
The system functions as a virtual co-pilot by using sensors to provide comprehensive 360° surveillance of the area around the car every 25 milliseconds. It can even predict events, including the path of vehicles and pedestrians, up to five seconds in advance.
The core of the Project 360° technology is a framework dubbed 'Sensor Fusion'. This technology allows data from cameras, radars, GPS and other sensors to be shared efficiently. It also allows drivers to access threat warnings and suggestions of alternative courses of action to avoid accidents. Incredibly, it is also capable of carrying out automatic steering and braking in the event that the driver doesn't respond.
The technology is aimed at both consumer vehicles as well as larger commercial vehicles. It could be particularly useful in trucks, whose drivers have dangerously limited fields of vision. The technology is still being tested and is unlikely to be deployed for another five to ten years.
What's Driving This Trend
- Driver Assistance Technology
- The continued development of driver assistance technology could revolutionize the safety and efficiency of the automotive industry.
- Sensor Fusion Framework
- Further research and investment in sensor fusion technology could lead to more comprehensive and efficient sharing of data.
- Predictive Analytics
- Increasing use of predictive analytics can enable vehicles to anticipate and prevent accidents, saving lives and resources.
Who This Affects Most
- Automotive
- The automotive industry has the potential to drastically improve safety features and reduce accidents by investing in innovative, advanced technologies.
- Logistics
- Driver assistance technology and predictive analytics could greatly benefit the logistics industry by reducing transportation risks and improving overall efficiency.
- Technology
- Advancements in sensor fusion and predictive analytics technology could provide new opportunities for tech companies to partner with the automotive and logistics industries.
