Crouching tiger, hidden Volvo? New S80 incorporates anti-carjacking measure
More details are creeping out on Volvo's new S80 flagship in advance of its Geneva debut.
Volvo has long made safety a priority with its vehicles, but most of their advancements have focused on the ability to cope with or avoid an accident altogether. But with the S80, Gothenberg's boffins have turned their focus on owners' personal safety before they even enter their cars.
As part of the S80's Personal Car Communicator (the all-in-one fob-like computer used to govern keyless entry, among other things), Volvo is claiming the world's first OEM application of an anti-carjacking measure. As part of its three-stage alarm, the Swedes have added a heartbeat sensor inside the vehicle, which warns approaching drivers whether a car is locked, if the alarm is active, or if there is a would-be attacker crouching in the back.
Among other revelations, the New Zealand Herald's article on the big Volvo indicates that the company hopes to move 50,000 new S80s per year globally, of which an optimistic 70-percent are hopeful conquest sales.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SHOTT3R 6:06PM (2/04/2006)
That is ingenious. Surprised no one's thought of that before.
Only concern is will a heartbeat detector interfere with pacemakers or other internal medical equipment in any way? Or would it only turn on when the car is locked, engine off?
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Dan Kuehling 6:33PM (2/04/2006)
SHOTT3R- I wouldn't think so. I think it's probably an infrared detector/camera that looks in the cabin for a heat source the size of an average human and putting out about 98 degrees F. Modern motion detectors on home alarm systems work basically the same way- that's how they can have sensors that detect a human intruder, but not a pet walking through the house.
What I'm more interested to see is this "Personal Car Communicator", it sounds like Volvo is the first car manufacturer to embrace the 2-way alarm technology we've seen in aftermarket car alarms for a long time now.
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Ken 12:07AM (2/05/2006)
Is this a joke? Can they seriously do that (as in, practically, affordably, and reliably)!?
Seems REALLY weird, that's all.
It is a good idea in theory.
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Alicia Sproul 2:07AM (2/05/2006)
I Think its not only a good idea but I am pretty Possitive that it will be very Succesful
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