Volvo Safety Concept Car
Seeing into future safety
Volvo Safety Concept Car (SCC) is all about "superior vision." How to see and be seen is what safety engineers are exploring in the futuristic vehicle. At the same time, the car also employs a variety of technologies that enhance personal security and improve passive safety systems.
The SCC points the way to a new dimension in the research and development of car safety.
The SCC is a vision of developments being evaluated by the two stakeholders in this project, Volvo and it's parent company Ford Motor Company. The car was designed at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center in California. This superior vision puts Volvo Cars and the Ford Motor Company at the leading edge of safety technology development. It clearly highlights the cutting-edge skills and resources both companies have at their disposal.
"More than 90 per cent of all important information to the driver comes in the form of visual input through the windows and windscreen of the car. If we improve the quality of this visual information, we will also improve the driver's ability to make the right decisions in difficult situations, thereby avoiding collisions." Stephan Rouhana, safety technical specialist, Ford Motor Company
"With the quick pace of technological development, we are constantly gaining access to smaller yet more powerful computers, new sensors and so on. Volvo's approach is to utilize the breakthroughs in an intelligent and sensible way. We combine advanced electronics with new materials and new mechanical design solutions to create customer benefits. One example of this is the Volvo SCC and its unique enhanced all-round visibility," says Hans Gustavsson, head of research and development at Volvo Cars.
Built for the eye
The Safety Concept Car is built for the eye. Not merely in terms of it's pleasing to the eye Scandinavian styling but because the car has been designed around the driver's eyes to ensure better vision and visibility.
When the driver gets into the seat, a sensor identifies the location of his or her eyes. The seat then automatically adjusts to suit the position of the eyes so that the driver obtains the best possible field of vision. Once this is done, the floor, pedals, steering wheel and center console, including the gear lever, all move to help ensure that all the controls are within convenient reach. Of course, the driver to further enhance visibility and comfort can tailor the controls.
The driver is then presented with a clearer understanding of what is happening outside the car and on the instrument panel.
Number one in safety
The Volvo SCC is the result of close collaboration between Volvo Cars and its parent company, the Ford Motor Company, demonstrates advances in several research and development projects in the fields of safety and security.
Removing blind spots
The Volvo SCC has a number of additional functions that improve visibility.
Increased crash safety and personal security
In addition, the Volvo SCC features a number of exciting features in the areas of active driving safety, crash protection and personal security.
The remote control unit becomes a communication center
The remote control unit has been developed into the Volvo Personal Communicator (VPC) and it has a number of new features.
Contact:
Daniel Johnston
Volvo Cars of North America
1 800 970 0888
Maria Sheler-Edwards
Ford Motor Company
1 313 248 4979