The Sydney Morning Herald -
hereSMH Drive -Toby Hagon wrote:
What's that, Skip? Volvos to sense wildlife before they hit
Toby Hagon - June 10, 2011
Oh deer ... New Volvo can detect large animals. (photo)
A CAR that can avoid animals will be on sale in Australia within three years, but it may not initially detect wildlife such as kangaroos, emus, koalas and wombats.
Volvo is evolving its pedestrian detection and avoidance system - which uses radar and an infra-red camera to determine if the car is likely to hit a pedestrian - to recognise wild animals.
For now the system has been developed for "large animals" such as moose and deer that are deemed a "risk of injury" to occupants. It is likely to recognise cows, sheep and horses by measuring the head-to-body ratio, but it is unlikely to spot the unique shape of a kangaroo or emu.
But Volvo is hoping to send a team of engineers to Australia to calibrate the system's ability to detect native animals.
"There may be an opportunity [for engineers] to visit Australia to test the technology on our wildlife," said the public affairs manager for Volvo Cars Australia, Jaedene Hudson.
Australia's conditions and wildlife have long challenged car makers, with both Ford and Holden using crash test kangaroo dummies to simulate a strike.
Statistics on how many animals are killed on Australian roads are hard to come by, although a study released in 2000 looking at fatal crashes involving animals concluded about 1 per cent of deaths occurred as a result of the impact with an animal or swerving to avoid it.
Perhaps all cars can have infra red and thermal imaging screens to aid drivers night vision? It doesn't state how far away detection occurs nor why only a few species can be detected, when surely most mammals (plus a few reptiles) are a threat ?
What happens if the deer or kangaroo leaps directly in front what does the system do then ?
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