DETROIT, Mich.–New Volvos will harness cloud-based communication technology to alert each other about obstacles and road hazards ahead, according to a report from The CarConnection.com. Initially, the system launches across Europe for the 2020 model year. Volvo told The Car Connection that there are plans to introduce the feature to the U.S., but it was not ready to share timing.
The connected-safety technology powers two features, which Volvo calls Hazard Light Alert and Slippery Road Alert. Volvo previously first made the technology standard on its XC90 and S90 models, but the system was only online for drivers in Sweden and Norway.
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The first feature, Hazard Light Alert, works when the driver engages the hazard lights. The car knows to send a signal to other Volvos in the area that a hazard has been detected on the road. For example, the driver could engage this feature if he or she encounters a crash or some other obstruction in the road. Drivers approaching the area will receive an alert that another Volvo driver has spotted a hazard. The automaker said it’s particularly useful on roads with hills or blind corners.
