Volvo S60 keeping you in sight

It can also perform a full emergency brake application to avoid a collision.  This important ability is aimed squarely at a growing proportion of road trauma – pedestrian collisions. In Europe, these account for 14 per cent of all traffic fatalities, in the US the figure is 11 per cent, and in China it is a worrying 26 per cent.

The new S60 can help to reduce this problem. It uses a hi-tech radar unit built into the car’s grille, plus a camera fitted near the central rear-view mirror and smart software to sort out all the information – and command the action if the driver fails to respond to the threat.

The radar detects objects in front of the car, while the camera and its software identifies them – a complex task, given that pedestrians come in a range of sizes right down to just 80cm tall (ie children).

In emergency situations the driver first receives an audible warning combined with a flashing light in the windscreen’s head-up display. The system prepares for braking by pre-charging the brake system. If the driver fails to react, an emergency braking manoeuvre is automatically performed.

Half of all crashes involving pedestrians occur at speeds below 25km/h, and the Volvo S60’s pedestrian detection system with full auto braking can avoid collisions with pedestrians at speeds up to 35km/h.

At higher speeds the system still functions to reduce impact speed – and therefore mitigate injury severity.  This advanced system incorporates Volvo’s City Safety technology, which brakes for vehicles stopped in front if the driver fails to respond – and has the potential to save millions of dollars worldwide in prevented, or reduced, insurance claims.

The advanced new S60 will be on display for the first time at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.