---

Volvo Strikes a New Benchmark for Automotive Safety            

6 December 2000

Volvo Strikes a New Benchmark for Automotive Safety            

    ROCKLEIGH, N.J., Dec. 5 A car that detects heart beats.  A
car that reads finger prints.  A car that keeps occupant's belt with
four-point safety belts.  An 'eyeball' sensor to adjust driver controls
automatically.  And a car that gives you perfect view of the surroundings.
Volvo Safety Concept Car -- a clear vision for future automotive safety.
    "A main ambition with the SCC was to create 'superior vision.'  Another
was to implement modern technology in order to support the driver and make
driving safer.  Both were achieved by combining traditional engineering with
advanced electronics," explains Hans Gustavsson, head of Research, Product
Development and Purchasing at Volvo Cars, Sweden.
    Instead of putting more airbags into a concept, Volvo focused on using
technology to help with driver vision both within the vehicle and externally.
"Technology does not mean more features that can distract a driver's
attention.  We believe technology should be use to improve incoming
information: to help make decisions quicker and easier for the driver,"
comments Gustavsson.

    Key new features:

     Redesigned A and B pillar
     Eye sensor
     Automatically adjustable driver controls
     Seat belt reconfiguration
     Fiber optic headlamp system
     Personal security

    Redesigned A and B-pillars help reduce, and almost eliminate, dangerous
blind spots.  The 'see through' A-pillar framework creates an open space that,
in the past, would have been impossible to engineer.  With today's engineering
expertise and metallurgy, the dynamic load characteristics are as strong as a
solid A-pillar.  Thanks to re-curving the B-pillar to match the front seat
back profile, side rear visibility has also been greatly improved without
reducing structural integrity.
    The eye sensor automatically 'looks' for the driver's eyeball.  When
located, the eye sensor system automatically adjusts to the driver's size by
moving the floor (with seat), pedals, steering wheel and center console
(including gear lever) into a comfortable driving position.
    Volvo introduced the world's first 3-point seat belt into production cars
in 1959 -- the single most important car safety feature in use today.  With
the SCC, seat belt design is being pushed to new limits.  Integrated into the
seat frame are two new design concepts: the CrissCross Belt (X4) and the
Center Buckle (V4).  The CrissCross Belt is a conventional three-point belt
supplemented with an extending diagonal chest belt from the shoulder to the
hip.  The Center Buckle Belt is similar to the type of safety belt that
previously used in racing and rally cars.
    Volvo will demonstrate both concepts at the North American International
Auto Show.  Show attendees will be surveyed as to which design is more
comfortable and user friendly.
    Superior nighttime vision is another critical aid for driver awareness.
The SCC uses light generated not by traditional headlamp bulbs but by fiber
optics.  Marrying advanced computer intelligence with fiber optic light system
means that Volvo can tailor light distribution to match varying road speeds.
At low speed, the light becomes short and wide, conversely at higher speeds
the light beam narrows and becomes longer.
    Volvo Personal Communicator (VPC) brings a new level of personal security
using advanced computer research and sociological concerns.  With VPC's remote
control keypad, the driver identification is verified and allows unlocking
access to the car.  VPC can also be pre-programmed to transmit travel routing
and personal health information -- which can be forwarded to Volvo On-Call
Plus center in an emergency situation.  A Heartbeat Sensor warns if someone is
lurking inside the car or a child/pet was inadvertently left inside.
    The Volvo SCC is the result of close collaboration between Volvo Cars and
its parent company, Ford Motor Company -- an excellent demonstration
of combining cutting-edge skills and resources available within the group.
    "The Volvo SCC demonstrates that we have knowledge and competence to stay
number on in the world within car safety.  SCC contains a large number of
technological systems and features which are associated with driving safety
and the interplay between man and machine," says Helen Petrauskas, head of
Environmental and Safety Engineering at Ford Motor Company.
    Ford Motor Company has chosen to locate its Center of Excellence for
Safety at Volvo Cars headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden.  A number of the
group's most interesting research and development projects in the field of
safety have now been gathered together in Volvo's Safety Concept Car, which
was designed at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center in California.