Volvo Cars bares new automotive interior radar

Volvo Cars announced that it has has developed a new automotive radar technology that could sense movements inside the car, including the trunk.

According to the Swedish car marque, its new interior radar is designed to be accurate and sensitive enough to detect the smallest movements at a sub-millimeter scale — such as those of a sleeping toddler.

Such technology, Volvo Cars said, can help prevent anyone from being accidentally left inside the vehicle.

The Gothenburg-based brand revealed that in the United States (US), more than 900 children have died after being left in hot cars since 1998. Heartbreakingly, a majority of hot car deaths occur because someone forgot that their child was in the car at the time.

“No one chooses to be distracted or tired, but we know it can happen. We’re all human and distraction is a fact of life. With the help of cutting-edge technology, we’ll support you when you’re not at your best and help you avoid leaving family members or pets behind by accident,” said Volvo Cars Senior Specialist in Injury Prevention Lotta Jakobsson.

Volvo Cars, to ensure that no kid is left behind, will integrate these sensors inside the vehicle’s overhead console, roof-mounted reading lamps, and the boot area. In doing so, the sensor suite can detect all movements inside the vehicle.

To notify drivers when they need it (and to help avoid “reminder fatigue” ), Volvo Cars’ experts have determined that the best time to signal the potential presence of family members left inside the car is when the driver attempts to lock the car.

Every time the driver attempts to lock the car, the interior radar system is activated and determines whether the vehicle is empty of any people or pets before it allows the car to be locked.

If a family member or pet is detected inside, the car will remain unlocked and the car will display a reminder to check the cabin for occupants on the center console screen.

The car’s climate system can remain on if people or animals are detected in the cabin, to improve comfort. This can also help lower the risk of hypothermia or heatstroke.

Volvo Cars’ new automotive interior radar will be featured in the marque’s all-electric EX90 sport utility vehicle (SUV), which was also announced to come with state-of-the-art sensors like cameras, radars, and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanners.

“We’ve always been a leader in safety, and we want to continue protecting lives by setting new standards in automotive safety. That also means making you feel safe and giving you peace of mind. That type of emotional safety will help you enjoy life to the fullest, while at the same time helping you to prevent tragedies from happening,” Jakobsson added.

Photos from Volvo Cars

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