Safety system

Carmaker Volvo is well known for the safety features it fits to its vehicles. However, one of the latest failed spectacularly at a recent demonstration in front of the motoring press. The demonstration was supposed to show how the automatic braking system ensures that the new Volvo models will be able to reduce the risk of accidents. The car was driven at the rear of a truck and was supposed to come to an emergency stop but instead ploughed straight into the vehicle, resulting in wry smirks amongst the asse
February 22, 2012 Read time: 1 min
Carmaker Volvo is well known for the safety features it fits to its vehicles. However, one of the latest failed spectacularly at a recent demonstration in front of the motoring press. The demonstration was supposed to show how the automatic braking system ensures that the new Volvo models will be able to reduce the risk of accidents. The car was driven at the rear of a truck and was supposed to come to an emergency stop but instead ploughed straight into the vehicle, resulting in wry smirks amongst the assembled press. The fault was blamed on a flat battery that foiled the vehicle's sophisticated electronics. The car, Volvo's new S60 model, is now available. Whether or not new owners will find the automatic braking system more reliable, remains to be seen.

Related Content

  • Rubber tyred rollers see key developments
    June 23, 2015
    A series of new rubber tyred asphalt compactors are now coming to market from several key manufacturers - Mike Woof writes Several of the major European compactor manufacturers are introducing new rubber tyred machines to meet demand. Pneumatic tyred rollers are often used for finishing work in road construction, due to the high quality surface they can deliver. For a time development of these machines stalled but in recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in their use. Contractors have reali
    Read More
  • Innovation abounds at the smaller end of the compaction equipment sector
    August 22, 2013
    New machines are now being offered at the compact end of the asphalt compaction market - Mike Woof reports Manufacturers have developed an array of new machines and solutions for the compact end of the asphalt compactor market segment. These units have been designed to meet the latest regulations for Europe and the US, with low emission engines that are also more economical on fuel. But as these machines are made in large volumes, the market for smaller asphalt compactors sees fierce rivalry between fi
    Read More
  • Milling Machine Stability
    April 16, 2012
    With substantial corporate changes for two of the major manufacturers of milling machines, the market is in a state of some flux. Only a few months ago Atlas Copco bought its fellow Swedish firm Dynapac, followed shortly afterwards by the announcement that another Swedish company, Volvo, was planning to acquire Ingersoll Rand's road development range. Exactly how these two large businesses will be integrated into Atlas Copco and Volvo remains to be seen. Both Atlas Copco and Volvo will face a learning c
    Read More
  • Are friends electric? – the drives
    October 3, 2018
    Advances in drive technology are being seen from several key firms as new generation, compact electric systems begin entering the market - Mike Woof writes Major innovations in machine systems are being seen in the construction equipment sector. Several manufacturers are hedging their bets with regard to drive technology and introducing electric drive machines, which will suit use in urban ultra-low emission zones. Wacker Neuson has developed an array of electric machines in recent years including a numbe
    Read More

Highlighted Content