Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Next-gen Volvo S60 takes Active Safety to next level with people sensing?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/09/video-next-gen-volvo-s60-takes-active-safety-to-next-level-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/09/video-next-gen-volvo-s60-takes-active-safety-to-next-level-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/09/video-next-gen-volvo-s60-takes-active-safety-to-next-level-with/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view video after the jump

For decades now, Volvo has been staking its claim in the automotive landscape by being the safety brand. And honestly, that's smart marketing. When a family (especially a young family) goes car shopping and safety is high on their list of concerns, tying your product to their desire to see their children live is a good way to move metal. Problem is, the car world has changed considerably since Volvo first started making bones about being four-wheeled life preservers 25 years ago. All cars are pretty safe these days. Some are even safer than Volvos. So how do you stand out from the pack? Keep innovating.

Which is precisely what Volvo's doing with their new City Safety system. Essentially, using some fairly sophisticated radar technology (see above) Volvo is able to pick out pedestrians from other objects like cars and trees. Nifty, huh? And quite similar (and ironic) to how the the Terminator viewed his surroundings. Sadly, it would seem when the system encounters a mother pushing a baby carriage, it identifies the mother as more important. Though that's probably win-win as long as the car doesn't hit either. Point is, should the Volvo get too close to a human, on clamp the brakes for a full, computer-controlled stop.

This radar tech is actually very closely related to the system Ford is using for active cruise control, blind spot warning and parking lot avoidance alerts on the new 2010 Taurus (which, coincidentally, is based on a Volvo platform). We got to see a behind the scenes peak at the Taurus's radar system on the launch and what you're looking at is essentially what Ford showed us, though cranked up a notch. There's a video of the next S60 running the system after the jump, as well as a machine-translated story explaining it all (kinda). Tip of the hard hat to Joakim.

[Source: Teknikensvarld]

Continue reading VIDEO: Next-gen Volvo S60 takes Active Safety to next level with people sensing?

VIDEO: Next-gen Volvo S60 takes Active Safety to next level with people sensing? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>active safetyActiveSafetyauto stopAutoStopCity SafetyCitySafetyFord TaurusFordTaurusRadarVolvoVolvo City SafetyVolvoCitySafetyFri, 09 Oct 2009 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Parents of teen with speeding ticket fighting citation with personal GPS data]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/report-parents-of-teen-with-speeding-ticket-fighting-citation-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/report-parents-of-teen-with-speeding-ticket-fighting-citation-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/report-parents-of-teen-with-speeding-ticket-fighting-citation-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It seems as though there may just be a positive side to those unwelcome GPS-based vehicle tracking devices... especially if you are a teenager. Shaun Malone, a 17-year-old California resident, was cited by radar-yielding authorities for driving 62 mph in a 45 mph zone in 2007. Faced with a $194 fine (and some inflating insurance premiums), Shaun's parents fought back arguing their son's vehicle was equipped with a satellite-based tracking device that monitored Shaun's speed - and it showed he was doing 45 mph when he was stopped.

While they can be affected by poor reception or noise in the radio signal, GPS-based speedometers are generally considered the benchmark for measuring velocity. On the other hand, radar measurements are also considered very accurate, as long as the human at the other end of the device is correctly trained and is tracking the proper vehicle. At stake is the credibility of radar. As Doppler-based speed enforcement has become a primary source of revenue for law enforcement agencies nationwide, police don't want their technology challenged. With that in mind, the local Petaluma police have spent a reported $15,000 on the trial. The case is to be decided in the coming weeks.

[Source: Christian Science Monitor]

REPORT: Parents of teen with speeding ticket fighting citation with personal GPS data originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fight ticketFightTicketGPS trackingGpsTrackinghighway patrolHighwayPatrolLaserLaw enforcementLawEnforcementPetalumapoliceradarSpeeding ticketSpeedingTicketFri, 18 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Winnipeg police outed for manipulating red-light camera accident data. Again.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/report-winnipeg-police-outed-for-manipulating-red-light-camera/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/report-winnipeg-police-outed-for-manipulating-red-light-camera/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/report-winnipeg-police-outed-for-manipulating-red-light-camera/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Winnipeg authorities are all "Lookie! Crashes are down at the intersections equipped with our spiffy new red-light cameras," but Manitoba Public Insurance and the Winnipeg Sun newspaper are all: "Stop lying!" Winnipeg says its 12 intersections equipped with the electronic sentinels have seen a 37% reduction in crashes since 2002. MPI and the WInnipeg Sun beg to differ, however, saying that insurance claims tell a markedly different, more complete story.

Part of the disparity can be attributed to the fact that collisions causing damage under $1,000 don't have to be reported to the police, but claims for those incidents are usually still submitted to insurance. According to the newspaper, the city's use of incomplete statistics to spin data the way it chooses has been going on for a while - it was flagged for the practice in a 2006 finding, and the figures that Manitoba Public Insurance reports figures some 66% higher than the city's figures. To hear the Sun tell it, the government's interest in photo radar appears to continue unabated as long as the money keeps rolling in, and skewed statistics only help make the case for the enforcement technology.

[Source: Winnipeg Sun | Image: Corrections Ontario]

REPORT: Winnipeg police outed for manipulating red-light camera accident data. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>photo radarPhotoRadarradarwinnipeg accidentswinnipeg photo radarwinnipeg photo radar accidentswinnipeg sunwinnipeg sun photo radar reportWinnipegAccidentsWinnipegPhotoRadarWinnipegPhotoRadarAccidentswinnipegsunWinnipegSunPhotoRadarReportTue, 16 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota's JDM collision-detecting radar system could come to Lexus]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/toyotas-collision-detecting-radar-system-could-come-to-lexus/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/toyotas-collision-detecting-radar-system-could-come-to-lexus/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/toyotas-collision-detecting-radar-system-could-come-to-lexus/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Two new JDM Toyota safety technologies are likely to arrive on future Lexus models in the United States. The first is a system that uses a millimeter-wave radar to detect objects in the vehicle's path. When obstructions are noted, the driver is alerted by an indicator or a sound. If the pending collision is imminent, a pre-crash system activates the brakes, removes slack from the seats belts and then deploys the airbags.

The second system involves the seats themselves. If an imminent rear-end collision is detected, the seat backs will automatically return to an upright position. In addition, seat belts will tighten and the headrests will move forward to help prevent whiplash. Both innovations are planned to arrive soon on Japan-market vehicles from Toyota Motor Corporation, so it's expected that these technologies will likely debut on upcoming Lexus models in the States.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Toyota's JDM collision-detecting radar system could come to Lexus originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collision avoidancecollision detectioncollision preventioncollision warning with full auto brakeCollisionAvoidanceCollisionDetectionCollisionPreventionCollisionWarningWithFullAutoBrakeLexusRadarRear SeatRearSeatSafetySeat BackSeat BeltSeatBackSeatBeltToyotaWhiplashThu, 12 Mar 2009 08:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Speeding awards temporary celebrity to your license plate]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/01/speeding-awards-temporary-celebrity-to-your-license-plate/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/01/speeding-awards-temporary-celebrity-to-your-license-plate/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/01/speeding-awards-temporary-celebrity-to-your-license-plate/#commentsFiled under:



Apparently, when some motorists see their speed displayed on a radar-assisted light sign, they don't pay much attention (hell, we've seen people speed up to see how high it goes).

The solution, it seems, may be in the form of Atkins' new speed sign that not only shows the speed of the vehicle and tells the driver to slow down, but also the displays the vehicle's license plate number.

The new technology is currently undergoing testing in the U.K. and, during a test run on the M42, elicited the desired response: brake lights.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Speeding awards temporary celebrity to your license plate originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>radarspeed camerasspeed detectorsSpeedCamerasSpeedDetectorsFri, 01 Sep 2006 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Car safety is changed by shape-shifting metal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/car-safety-is-changed-by-shape-shifting-metal/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/car-safety-is-changed-by-shape-shifting-metal/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/car-safety-is-changed-by-shape-shifting-metal/#commentsFiled under: ,

Researchers in Germany are developing a vehicle safety system that sounds like something straight out of science-fiction.

The door and frame connection of a car is a weak spot in side collisions. After detecting an impending impact via mounted cameras and radar sensors, the experimental German safety system sends out an electric charge to the shape-memory alloy on the door. The alloy expands from the heat, which serves to reinforce the door-frame bond. The researchers are currently testing prototypes and plan to start full test crashes with vehicles in 2008.

[Source: New Scientist Tech via Cars!Cars!Cars!]

Car safety is changed by shape-shifting metal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 May 2006 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alloycameradoor frame connectionradarshape-memoryside doorside impactFri, 12 May 2006 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan unveils distance control assist system with pedal feedback]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/16/nissan-unveils-distance-control-assist-system-with-pedal-feedbac/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/16/nissan-unveils-distance-control-assist-system-with-pedal-feedbac/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/16/nissan-unveils-distance-control-assist-system-with-pedal-feedbac/#commentsFiled under: ,



Nissan announced Wednesday the newest development under its "Safety Shield" accident prevention program - an electronic system that helps drivers control the distance between their car and the vehicle in front.

The system uses a front bumper-mounted radar sensor to determine the following distance and the relative speed of both cars. If the driver releases the gas pedal the system automatically applies the brakes. If the system itself determines that braking is required (presumably because the vehicle ahead is slowing), the driver is alerted by a lighted indicator and a buzzer, and the gas pedal automatically moves upward to "assist the driver in switching to the brakes."

Nissan expects the system to be particularly useful in heavy traffic, when frequent braking is required. No word on when (or if) the system will see production.

(Appreciate the tip, Dave)


[Source: Nissan]

Nissan unveils distance control assist system with pedal feedback originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Mar 2006 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nissanradarsafetysafety shieldThu, 16 Mar 2006 07:00:00 EST