Volvo Cars is expanding its connected safety technology with four new hazard alerts designed to give drivers earlier warnings about road conditions and incidents ahead.
The latest software update adds alerts for large animals, vulnerable road users, roadwork and accidents ahead to the automaker’s connected safety system. The features will be available on the Volvo EX60, EX90 and ES90 in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, with timing varying by model.
The Large Animal Alert can notify drivers when a large animal is detected on or near the road ahead, while the Vulnerable Road User Alert warns of pedestrians and cyclists on or near highways.
The Roadwork Alert provides warnings when roadwork is detected ahead. The Accident Ahead Alert uses real-time information from connected Volvo vehicles and traffic management centres to alert drivers to collisions or other incidents farther along the road.
The new warnings build on Volvo’s existing Slippery Road Alert and Hazard Light Alert features, with the company highlighting their potential value in low-visibility conditions such as poor weather and winding roads.
Volvo said more than 1 million vehicles have activated its connected safety technology since it was introduced in 2016. Through the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem, alert data can also be shared with vehicles from other automakers and national traffic management centres.
The same software update also adds Spatial Audio support through Apple CarPlay to the EX90. The feature uses Dolby Atmos technology and requires the available Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system.
Volvo said the update demonstrates how software-defined vehicles can gain additional capabilities after delivery, rather than relying solely on the technology installed when the vehicle was built.
