Volvo Cars is launching an over-the-air update for its Volvo Connected Safety suite for select electric vehicles that will provide a host of new warnings, including spatial audio support in some models.
Volvo EX90, ES90 and EX60 EV drivers will now be able to send four new safety alert messeges to other vehicles, as well as receive them, the automaker said in its Aug. 26 release.
The alerts include large animal detection on the road ahead, the presence of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, as well as roadwork and accident alerts using real-time data from connected Volvo vehicles or traffic management centers.
The features expand the system’s ability to provide clear early warnings, especially in low-visibility conditions, such as winding roads or poor weather, and complement existing alerts of slippery roads and poor light conditions.
The new connected safety features will be available for Volvo EV drivers in Europe, U.S. and Canada, but the timing of the update may vary depending on the model.
Currently, more than 1 million Volvo vehicles have connected safety technology activated. In Europe, the alerts can also be shared with other brand vehicles through the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem.
Drivers of Volvo Cars’ flagship EX90 SUV and ES90 sedan equipped with the Bowers & Wilkins optional premium sound system and Dolby Atmos technology will also receive support for Spatial Audio in Apple CarPlay, which can provide a multi-dimensional and immersive sound experience that places music and vocals around the cabin using 25 high-performance speakers.
“Built on decades of our real-world safety insight, these innovations represent another step towards our vision of zero collisions,” said Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo Cars Safety Center. “Every time a Volvo car shares safety intelligence, it helps other drivers prepare earlier to avoid accidents and feel safer,” she added.
