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Enhanced Safety Systems for Volvo Trucks are on the Way

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Volvo now wants their trucks to be a lot safer than before, which is why they are looking into a system which would monitor the driver’s operation of the truck. Studies had shown that fatigue makes up 20 percent of the cause of accidents that occur in traffic. Other common causes of accidents on the road are inattentiveness and alcohol. The Safety Director of Volvo Trucks had commented regarding the issue and their company, “Our request for an exemption from normal traffic regulations is part of our development of technical systems that detect and warn a driver of fatigue and inattentiveness in traffic. The objective is to make these safety systems available in our trucks.” The system works in such a way that if the driver becomes inattentive, the pattern of the truck’s movement undergoes some changes. These changes are registered by the system, which in turn alerts the driver.

When this new safety system is tested, a prerequisite would be that the test is ensured to come equipped with thorough safety measures. There will be two drivers in each vehicle when they day of testing the system comes. “The fatigued driver will be backed-up by a driver who is rested and alert and who can quickly take control of the vehicle. In addition, there will be test leader in the cab who will monitor the entire test drive. The truck will also be clearly marked with rotating warning lamps and will be followed by a car that alerts other motorists that a test is underway.”

Current safety features included in Volvo trucks are Lane Keeping Support, Adaptive Cruise Control and ESP. Lane Keepings Support takes note of the marking lines in traffic lanes and keeps track of the truck’s position. Should the truck move sideways or off the lane’s mark, then the driver is alerted. The Adaptive Cruise Control makes sure that the truck driver keeps a proper distance between his truck and the vehicle ahead of him. The ESP is a stability control system which applies the brakes on each of the wheels if there is an impending roll-over or skidding. If the driver is going to lose control of the truck, then this system also intercedes.

source: Volvo Global

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Reducing Truck Thefts with Datachassi

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Volvo is thinking of partnering with Datachassi, a Swedish company based in Jönköping whose specialty lies in developing a patent-pending theft protection system. Due to the alarming increase in truck thefts, Volvo has been looking into coming up with solutions that would help put drivers and passengers at ease. Per Wassén, the Investment Manager of Volvo Technology Transfer, had said, “We foresee a huge potential for this invention, which has good possibilities of becoming an industry standard… This is an investment fully in line with the Volvo Group‘s striving to offer our customers safe and efficient transport solutions.”

The Datachassi invention will rely on radio communications. What the invention will do is that it will link the tractor with the trailer or the truck via sensors and intelligent radio technology. The system will be strategically placed on the sidelights and can be retro-fitted. This is good news for truck owners, as this means that most trucks in Europe would be able to accommodate the theft protection system. The sidelights will be equipped with the sensors and radio beacons. This will make it possible for sending alarm signals to be sent wirelessly to a central server or, alternatively, to a security company. It will all depend on the way the system is going to be programmed.

Since the alarm is triggered when objects or people come too close to the truck, the system will not only provide safety regarding truck thefts but it will also give a safer ride to both driver and passengers. The sensors and the radio beacons will alert the driver if there is a pedestrian coming too close, helping in keeping both pedestrians and truck drivers (and passengers) out of harm’s way.

source: carma.com.sg

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Cheap Doesn’t Mean Compromised Quality

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

“It’s not a poverty pack, just an entry level.” This is what Volvo Australia Managing Director Alan Desselss said about the new introductory price of the Volvo C30 S. It now costs only $34,450. Desselss said, “The C30 S is just without a premium sound system and leather.” The features of this car model includes audio controls placed on the steering wheel, a CD player, a sound system comprised of six speakers which any music lover would appreciate, and a steering wheel trimmed with leather to add more class to the already impressive car. Included in those features are climate air conditioning, cruise control, and trip computer. This affordable C30 S sports 16-inhc alloy wheels. It is powered by a 125kW 5-cylinder 2.4-liter engine based on the LE model. A five-speed manual is standard but there is an optional five-speed Geartronic available which is offered at the cost of an extra $1500. Safety features come standard with ABS, Emergency Brake Assist, Side Impact Protection System, six airbags, stability and traction control, and Whiplash Protection System.

It just isn’t the Volvo C30 S model which will make its way to Australia. The popular and in demand diesel D5 auto with the six-speed manual will also be arriving as well. Its price is set to start at $43,950 and is bound to get there by April this year. The D5 auto is powered by a five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which has 132kW of power and a torque of 350Nm, which is comparably higher than that of the T5. “D5 is hot property in Europe so we had to wait,” Desselss had remarked. “I’m hoping this will pick up C30 sales to about 85 a month.”

source: couriermail.com.au

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Archive for February, 2008

Enhanced Safety Systems for Volvo Trucks are on the Way

Reducing Truck Thefts with Datachassi

Cheap Doesn’t Mean Compromised Quality

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