Volvo Develops the World’s First Interior Radar System for Cars

A new interior radar feature developed by Volvo’s engineers is designed to be accurate and sensitive enough to detect the tiniest movements at sub-millimetre scales – such as those of a sleeping toddler. It’s the first feature to cover the entire car interior, including the trunk.

Volvo’s new radar system, revealed today and included in the company’s forthcoming Volvo EX90 all-electric SUV, is designed to help address the cause of the tragedy that has proven all too real for many families.

US government statistics show that since 1998, more than 900 children in the US have died after being left in hot cars. Heartbreakingly, most hot car deaths occur because someone forgot that their child was in the vehicle at the time.

Volvo’s new interior radar system will first be rolled out as standard, where regulation allows, on the Volvo EX90 that will be revealed on November 9. The feature will also be included in other forthcoming Volvo car models.

Technology That Supports You

With sensors integrated into the overhead console, the roof-mounted reading lamps, and the car’s trunk, Volvo’s new system is the first to detect sub-millimetre movement in the vehicle’s entire interior.

Volvo has spaced radars throughout the house from front to back, including the rear trunk, to cover as much of the cabin as possible and sense whether a child or pet has been left in the car.

“No one chooses to be distracted or tired, but we know it can happen,” says Lotta Jakobsson, our senior technical specialist in injury prevention. “We’re all human, and distraction is a fact of life. With the help of cutting-edge technology, we’ll support you when you’re not at your best and help you avoid leaving family members or pets behind by accident.”

To notify you when you need it and to help avoid ‘reminder fatigue’, Volvo experts have determined that the best time to signal the potential presence of family members left inside the car is when you attempt to lock the car.

Every time you try to lock the car, the interior radar system is activated and determines whether your vehicle is empty of any people or pets before it allows the car to be closed.

If a family member or pet is detected inside, the car will remain unlocked, and the car will display a reminder to check the cabin for occupants on the centre console screen.

The car’s climate system can remain if people or animals are detected in the cabin to improve comfort. This can also help lower the risk of hypothermia or heatstroke.

“We’ve always been a leader in safety, and we want to continue protecting lives by setting new standards in automotive safety,” says Lotta Jakobsson. “That also means making you feel safe and at peace of mind. That type of emotional safety will help you enjoy life to the fullest while also helping you prevent tragedies from happening.”

The Small Print

• The interior radar system will come as standard in all countries where the 60GHz frequency used by the system is approved for automotive use. Volvo is constantly working with individual markets to secure approval and will activate the system when permissions are granted.
• The climate system will remain working if the high-voltage battery has enough charge.

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