VT

Volvo Trucks has developed a new technology that provides the driver with a 360° view of the truck, which aims to prevent road accidents caused by limited visibility.

According to the company’s research, limited visibility is one of the main causes of heavy truck accidents with road users in Europe.

Currently in its testing phase, the technology is part of the ‘Non-Hit Car and Truck’ research project, which is being developed in collaboration with Volvo Cars.

With the help of the technology, the vehicle gathers information from multiple sources, such as sensors, radars and cameras placed around the vehicle simultaneously and alerts drivers of any nearby obstacles, including pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles.

"If the driver does not respond to the suggested actions, the steering or braking system can be activated autonomously."

The company said in a statement: "If the driver does not respond to the suggested actions, the steering or braking system can be activated autonomously."

Volvo Trucks traffic and product safety director Carl Johan Almqvist said: "Today’s Volvo trucks are designed to eliminate any vehicle blind spots.

"But in situations with heavy traffic, it is easy for a driver to miss something important such as an approaching cyclist on the vehicle’s passenger side. Now we can solve this issue and help the driver see and understand everything that is happening around the vehicle."

The technology is expected to go live in the next five to ten years.

According to Almqvist, additional testing is required in order to ensure that the system is fault-free.

Image: Volvo’s technology provides 360° view of surroundings to drivers. Photo: courtesy of Volvo Trucks.