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After announcing the voluntary restriction of the speed of itheir vehicles to 180 km/h, Volvo appear ready to fight against intoxicated and distracted driving.
The Chinese-owned, Swedish-based automaker are to begin installing in-car cameras and sensors to check the driver’s fitness to drive. Sensors in the car will monitor changes in the physical movements of both the driver and the car to determine if an intervention is required. Cameras focused on the driver’s facial features will sense changes to pupil dilatation and whether the eyes are open. Sensors on the steering wheel can tell how reactive the individual’s hands are behind the wheel. Other sensors fitted to the car itself will sense whether the car is moving erratically.
If the vehicle experiences erratic driving classified as being due to intoxication or distraction and the driver does not respond to warning signals, the vehicle may take control of the car and slow down while alerting the Volvo call center in an ’emergency state’ response. An agent will speak to the driver and take over the car if necessary to safely park it.
Installation of the technology will start next year, according to Volvo, first on larger models such as the XC90 SUV before it migrates also to smaller cars.
In response to worries about the confidentiality of the data recorded by the cameras, Volvo say all the data will be stored only in the vehicle, not transmitted elsewhere.
