Earlier this month, Volvo announced its plans to restrict the top speed of the cars to 180kmph from 2020. Now, in a move to curb intoxication and distraction, Volvo intends to install in-car cameras that monitor the driver and allows the car to intervene.
A complete lack of steering input for extended periods, drivers who are detected to have their eyes closed or off the road for extended periods of time, as well as extreme weaving across lanes or excessively slow reaction times will trigger the intervention. The intervention could involve limiting the vehicle’s speed, alerting the company’s call assistance service. As a final course of action, actively cutting down the speed and safely park the car.
The company wants to start a conversation about whether car makers have the right or maybe even the obligation to install technology in cars that changes their drivers’ behaviour. Both, the speed limit and the installation of in-car cameras illustrate how car makers can take active responsibility for the aim of achieving zero traffic fatalities by supporting better driver behaviour.
“When it comes to safety, our aim is to avoid accidents altogether rather than limit the impact when an accident is imminent and unavoidable. In this case, cameras will monitor for behavior that may lead to serious injury or death.” says, Henrik Green, senior vice president, research and development, Volvo Cars.
The company intends to introduce the cameras from 2021 with their next generation of Volvo’s scalable SPA2 vehicle platform. Further details of the positioning of the cameras will be revealed later.