A safety vision that benefits everyone

Transcription

1 A safety vision that benefits everyone

2 2 3 OUR VISION IS THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A NEW VOLVO CAR In 1927, Volvo Cars founders said: Cars are driven by people the guiding principle behind everything we make at Volvo, therefore, is and must remain safety. Those values have never changed, and in 2008 we set out our aim that by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car. In the longer perspective, our vision is that Volvo cars should not crash at all. Our safety vison is bold. Several safety innovations have already drastically reduced the number of people injured or killed in Volvo cars, and the technology that is being developed strongly delivers in the direction of the vision. At Volvo Cars, we push technological boundaries and have reduced the risk for Volvo drivers and passengers of being seriously injured in an accident by 50 per cent over a 10-year period. Everything works together It is the interaction between the various safety systems and functions that determines just how safe a car is. In a Volvo, safety is the result of a complete, integrated solution, where every system and component works in unison with all the others. This holistic view has from the very outset been a cornerstone of the Volvo Cars safety philosophy, and so it remains today. Among other things, this holistic approach means that Volvo Cars methodology for accident research, analysis and innovation focuses on the entire sequence from normal driving to post-crash, as you can read about on pages It is also illustrated by an increasing focus on active safety and researching of driving behaviour, as well as the development of new, connected and autonomous technologies. Last but not least, another aspect of our holistic view is that we make sure to never lose focus on the important basics the spare parts, the service programmes, the repair methods, the competence of our technicians and the quality of the labour performed in Volvo workshops. Everything works together to help save lives, reduce injuries and decrease damage, and to bring down costs for both drivers and insurers.

3 4 5 INDEPENDENT TEST RESULTS CONFIRM THE PROGRESS Year after year, advances in safety are reducing the number of people being seriously injured or killed in Volvo cars. With the new generations of premium car models, Volvo Cars is taking yet another major step forward to realising the zero vision. Data from independent rating institutes all over the world continuously confirm this progress. For example, the Volvo XC90 was awarded the 2015 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The XC90 received a full score in all tests (crashworthiness and front crash prevention), excelling in both preventive and protective safety performance. The new Volvo XC60 of model year 2018 also qualified for the IIHS highest award when it earned the 2017 Top Safety Pick+, acing the crashworthiness tests and getting a superior rating for its standard front crash prevention system. One of the most comprehensive scientific studies performed on collision avoidance systems reveals that Volvo Cars standard City Safety low-speed automatic brake technology reduces insurance claims for rear-end frontal collisions by 28 per cent. The study is based on real-life accumulated insurance claims data from the Swedish insurers If and Volvia. The main benefit of City Safety is its ability to reduce whiplash and other neck-related injuries caused by lowspeed traffic accidents. The secondary benefit to Volvo car drivers is a reduction in accident damage to their cars and the costs that this incurs. CUTS ACCIDENT CLAIMS BY 28 PER CENT In 2017, Volvo S90 and V90 achieved top safety ratings from Euro NCAP. and Volvo Cars became the first car maker to score a full six points in the Autonomous Emergency Braking for Pedestrians (AEB Pedestrian) test procedure and an overall 5 Star rating for both cars. The S90 and V90 results surpassed the best overall score of any model tested in 2016 and made Euro NCAP s top-3 best-ever performing cars all Volvos. The result followed in the footsteps of the XC90, which was the first car from any manufacturer to score full points in the Euro NCAP Autonomous Emergency Braking Car to Car rear-end tests (AEB City and AEB Interurban).

4 PRODUCTION 6 7 THE RESULT OF KNOWLEDGE COMBINED WITH TECHNOLOGY At Volvo Cars, we apply a knowledge-driven approach to safety combining research on driving behaviour with research on safety optimisation and development. We use data from real-world collisions and rigorous research to make our cars ever safer. Our Traffic Accident Research team, established in 1970, has collected accident data from more than 43,000 crashes, involving about 72,000 occupants. We perform real life accident reconstructions in our state-of-the-art crash laboratory. Then we apply this valuable data and unique knowledge when designing new Volvo cars. Each new car is built using the knowledge gained from its predecessors we call this process of continuous refinement and improvement the Circle of Life. True to our heritage, we will keep creating innovative safety systems that protect not only the driver and passengers within the car, but also people in the car s surrounding. Intellisafe supports, prevents, protects. Our IntelliSafe technologies include a wide range of safety solutions and functions designed to offer support while driving, help to prevent accidents, and offer protection if one occurs. City Safety, originally launched as the world s first collision-avoidance system in 2008, is the umbrella term for all of Volvo Cars auto brake functions. City Safety is based on a combined camera and radar unit integrated at the top of the windscreen, in front of the interior rear-view mirror. The collision-avoidance and mitigation technologies are standard in new Volvo cars and continuously enhanced. The new-generation City Safety with Steering Support launched in the new Volvo XC60 can sense vehicles, pedestrians and large animals, then brake or steer to avoid collisions with them whether it s day or night. A new safety system called Oncoming Lane Mitigation uses steer assist to help mitigate head-on collisions, while Volvo s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) now uses Steer Assist functionality to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions. Examples of other IntelliSafe technologies include Lane Departure Warning, Road Sign Information, Driver Alert Control, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter. REAL WORLD DATA SAFETY REQUIREMENTS PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT VERIFICATION PROTOTYPE

5 8 9 THE RIGHT PARTS, METHODS AND COMPETENCE CRITICAL IN ORDER TO PRESERVE SAFETY Looking at the sophistication of Volvo Cars safety systems, it is easy to understand why it is so important to replace worn out or damaged components with Volvo Genuine Parts. They assure the right properties in order to continue to interact as expected with the safety systems software. Volvo Genuine Parts are designed according to Volvo s detailed specifications, tested both separately and in interaction with other parts, and produced according to Volvo s quality assurance routines. They are manufactured to the same specifications as the parts originally assembled in the car and offer perfect fit, exact tolerances and maximum precision. This is important also when it comes to more basic parts. Take the brake parts for example. The brake system is an integrated part of several other systems of the car and the specifications for brake parts are incredibly precise. The friction characteristics have to be absolutely correct and must function in a predetermined manner in every situation. Otherwise for instance if the friction is too low or too high the car s systems could react too slowly or too sharply. Seconds, or even milliseconds, can be very important to avoid or mitigate collisions. It is also vital that the replacement, repair or adjustment is carried out using the right tools and the right methods as described in Volvo Cars comprehensive workshop information system VIDA in order to guarantee the function of the safety systems. For example, that the necessary calibration of certain sensors is carried out in the proper way, or that fault-tracing and downloads of software are always performed using the continuously updated VIDA system. A secure way to preserve safety is always to use Volvo Genuine Parts combined with Volvo knowledge, training and specialised equipment. In addition, Volvo Cars devotes a lot of resources to developing accessories that improve the safety for children travelling in cars. With the new generation of Volvo child seats, Volvo dealers can offer the best possible child safety solution for every family. Everyone in the car should travel safely at all times, and working actively to develop, recommend and provide optimised safety products to suit children of all ages is in line with our vision towards zero injuries in Volvo cars.

6 10 11 VOLVO WINDSCREENS VITAL FOR THE FUNCTION OF SAFETY SYSTEMS The windscreen is one of the most important parts of the car. Not only should it ensure an undistorted view forward, it is also an important component for the structural strength of the car body. This means that the installation process for windscreen replacement has to be very thorough and carried out with specified material in order to retain the designed properties. Using Volvo-specified two-component adhesives will bond the windscreen to the same strength as when assembled in the factory, and also provide a minimal safe drive-away time. It is crucial that the bond has the right strength for the function of the passenger airbag (which is designed to use the windscreen as a support when deployed), and also for the overall rigidness of the body. The windscreen is also vital for the function of several safety features. Some of them are sensitive to optical and geometric tolerances, glass thickness and mass. For example, the software for City Safety is fine-tuned for each windscreen variant and demands extremely stringent optical tolerances in order to function as intended. In addition, the windscreens of new-generation Volvo cars have been specially engineered for head-up display of graphical information in the lower part of the windscreen. When replacing the windscreen at a Volvo Cars authorised workshop, all required operations are known and carried out using the necessary components and systems to reassure that everything is put back in working order. For example, using Volvo Cars system VIDA to perform various calibrations secures the functionality of several safety systems after a windscreen has been replaced.

7 12 13 HOLISTIC APPROACH IN FIVE PHASES Volvo Cars safety methodology is focusing on the entire sequence, illustrated by five phases, from non-conflict to post-crash. Here are some features within each area. Phase 1: Normal driving Good visibility, good comfort, effective brakes, good steering capability, chassis and engine lay the foundation for making driving safe and comfortable. To further help the driver maintain focus on the road, Volvo Cars has developed a range of technologies. Some examples: Pilot Assist Driver Alert Control Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Aid Road Sign Information Distance Alert Blind Spot Information System with Steer Assist Cross Traffic Alert Active High Beam with LED headlights Active High Beam with halogen headlights Active Bending Lights Cornering Lights Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Park Assist Pilot Park Assist Camera Visual Park Assist Oncoming Lane Mitigation Connected Safety Phase 2: Conflict When a critical situation is imminent, preventive safety functions can step in to stabilise the car or alert the driver. Examples: Electronic Stability Control Roll Stability Control Collision Warning Rear Collision Warning Emergency Brake Lamps Trailer Stability Assist Oncoming Lane Mitigation Phase 3: Avoidance/Mitigation When an accident is about to happen, Volvo s preventive safety functions can step in and respond if the driver can no longer avoid the collision on his or her own. City Safety. Detects, warns the driver and/ or brakes or steers in certain situations to avoid collisions with vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians or large animals, both day and night. Rear Collision Warning Brake assist Steering Support Run-off Road Mitigation Phase 4: Crash When a collision is unavoidable, it is important to help protect the occupants and reduce the risk of injuries. Examples of protective technologies: Reduction of impact speed Deformation zones Lower cross-member protect lower cars Energy-absorbing front Safety belt pre-tensioners Side Impact Protection System Safe Positioning/Run-off road protection Second-generation Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) Brake pedal release Laminated windows Integrated booster cushion Three-point safety belt Airbags Run-off Road Protection Phase 5: Post-crash Volvo Cars co-operates with the emergency services to optimise the rescue operation after a collision. Volvo On Call automatic collision alert and emergency support Post impact braking

8 14 15 PRESERVED SAFETY BENEFITS EVERYONE It is obvious that the retained function of the safety systems in Volvo cars will bring benefits for both the Volvo driver, Volvo Cars as a company and insurance companies. Collisions can be avoided or mitigated thanks to detection, warning and autonomous braking systems, and the risk for accidents will be reduced thanks to enhanced driver support offering various kinds of information and warnings. There will be less personal injuries and less damage to property, and the reduced claim frequency will bring down the costs for insurance companies. This can in the long-term lead to lower premiums and reduced cost of ownership for the customer. For Volvo Cars, it is essential that Volvo owners always have access to safe, guaranteed repair to Volvo standards. It is important for us to know that Volvo owners get Volvo Genuine Parts, installed using the right methods. And that they can be sure that the whole process is carried out according to Volvo s high standards, so that they can continue to rely on the superior safety of their car. Because even if our safety vision is about new Volvo cars in the future, the care and concern for people s safety that it expresses always extends far beyond the delivery of a new car from the factory to the customer. Naturally, we all want Volvo cars to stay safe throughout their entire lifecycle. We have a responsibility to make sure that Volvo cars are maintained according to the recommended service programme, and that their properties are not changed in ways that compromise safety. This is in the interest of Volvo drivers, Volvo dealers, Volvo Cars as a company, as well as insurers of Volvo cars. That safety is preserved will always benefit everyone.

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