Volvo’s upcoming all-electric vehicle, which will take on the guise of a 90-series SUV, isn’t quite ready for prime time yet. The car’s official unveil date is set for November 9, but the Swedish automaker at least confirmed its name during yesterday’s safety speech: Volvo EX90.
Volvo Concept Recharge previews the upcoming EX90 electric SUV.
Taking over from the XC90 as the brand’s flagship SUV model, the EX90 will also be the “safest Volvo car ever to hit the road”, thanks to the addition of several new sensors as standard, including long-range LiDAR. roof-mounted, as well as in-car sensors that can detect whether the driver is distracted or intoxicated.
The new sensors are part of what Volvo calls “one of the most advanced sensor suites on the market”, which also includes eight cameras, five radars and 16 ultrasonic sensors. By combining advanced sensors with in-house developed software and the car’s core computing power, Volvo says the EX90 can keep track of more potential hazards than ever before, both outside and inside.
LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses pulsed laser beams to measure ranges with high accuracy and fidelity. The new sensor, which Elon Musk infamously hates, will be a key ingredient in enabling Volvo’s upcoming SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system, Ride Pilot.
While not a new technology, LiDAR has not been regularly implemented in production vehicles due to the (traditionally) large size and high cost of the sensor, costing up to $75,000 (approximately RM342k) each. However, it seems that Volvo’s LiDAR partner Luminar has mostly solved the two main problems, as the company previously said it hopes to price its sensors at just $1,000 (approx. RM4557) and eventually drop it to $1,000. 500 USD (approx. RM2279).
Volvo says that the addition of the LiDAR sensor can help reduce accidents with serious outcomes by up to 20% and improve the car’s overall accident prevention by up to 9%, according to its recent research.
Volvo says the new LiDAR sensor, which resembles a small roof socket on the EX90, can detect pedestrians up to 250m away, or something “as small and dark as a tire on a black road” 120m further. forward, all while traveling at highway speeds. no matter day or night.
Inside, Volvo is using a set of special sensors and a pair of cameras to measure drivers’ gaze concentration. The technology will detect when the driver is distracted, tired, or otherwise distracted, and will use various methods to bring the driver’s attention back to the roads.
However, if the driver continues to fail to respond, the EX90 is also designed to bring the car to a safe stop and call for help automatically.
“Our research shows that simply by observing where the driver is looking and how often and for how long their eyes are closed, we can tell a lot about the state of the driver,” said Emma Tivesten, Senior Technical Expert at Volvo Cars Safety Centre.
“By basing its calculations on the results of our research, the detection system allows our cars to identify if the driver’s ability is impaired, perhaps due to drowsiness, distraction or other causes of inattention, and offer additional assistance from the driver. way that best suits the situation. ”
The new safety additions are part of Volvo’s goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries in new Volvo cars. The Volvo EX90 will also help lead the brand’s goal of becoming a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030.
Keyword: The upcoming Volvo EX90 EV will come with LiDAR as standard, to be revealed on November 9
