Volvo is taking the next step in creating a vehicle that can drive itself. They are preparing to produce a vehicle in 2014 that will allow the car to automatically follow the vehicle in front of them in slow-moving queues up to 50 km/hr.

The driver will activate the traffic jam assistance function with the press of a button. The engine, brakes, and steering will respond accordingly. The Adaptive Cruise Control (already available in the 2012 Volvo V40 hatchback) automatically maintains a set gap to the vehicle in front and controls the steering. The car will then follow the vehicle directly in front; however, the person driving is always in charge and can take back control at any time.

Americans spend more than 100 hours a year commuting - that’s more than the average vacation time (2 weeks at 80 hours)! Drivers in large cities spend even longer than that commuting to and from work daily. Volvo’s focus is on making the commute less stressful for the driver.

Volvo’s mission is to increase driver confidence in self-driving cars. Vehicles that require very little human interaction is a major focus in Volvo’s development work. This new traffic jam assistance function is a big step in achieving that goal. While it will still take time to develop a car that can safely drive with no human interaction, they are certainly taking the necessary baby steps to encourage confidence in such a vehicle.

When it comes to safety, Volvo is a leader in the automotive industry. Volvo released its first car equipped with an airbag in 1987, and has continued to lead the world in firsts for airbag technology. Volvo was the first car maker to equip their cars with seat-mounted side airbags and the inflatable curtain. In 2012, Volvo celebrated the airbags 25th birthday with the introduction of the pedestrian airbag in the Volvo V40 hatchback. This impressive technology is now protecting pedestrians outside the car as well as those inside the car.

Volvo has been an industry leader in perfecting airbag technology, timing, and effectiveness. They also have successfully proven that seat belts and airbags are to be used together; one or the other will not necessarily ensure the safety of a passenger. Volvo created the 3-point safety belt back in 1959. When the airbag was introduced, some thought that the airbags would replace safety belts. Volvo successfully proved that was not the case, and that both safety features should work in unison.

Airbag technology has changed quite a bit since it was first introduced 25 years ago, and Volvo has been key in the process. In their efforts to build the safest cars in the world, Volvo continues to research, develop, and innovate new airbag and safety solutions.

If you are in the market for a new car and safety is at the top of your priority list, a Volvo might be the right fit for you!

In case you haven’t been paying attention, there’s only one day left to Thanksgiving! That means it’s also time to wrap up our series “Top Car Features We Are Thankful For” and head home to spend quality time with friends and family! In our final post in this series, we take a look at those magical blind spot and rearview cameras.

Anxiety about backing up, or switching lanes? Not anymore. Have complete confidence with today’s rearview and blind spot cameras. With these useful little cameras, you can now get a clear view of what might be in your way right on a convenient screen right in your center console.  

With SUVs, big trucks, and 7-passanger vans common on the road, it can sometimes be difficult to see what’s flying up next to you. The blind spot camera adds that extra confidence, so you can be sure when you are changing lanes, nothing is coming your way!

Rearview cameras have made maneuvering into parking spots, backing up, and even parallel parking a breeze. If you want to push the limit and get close – really close – these cameras even provide guidance lines to show you just how close you are to that curb, another car, or fence. If you want to back into a parking space, these rearview cameras help provide guidance for the perfect parking job every time.

Say goodbye to the days of accidentally backing into something or side swiping somebody. Blind spot and rearview cameras might not yet be as common as other vehicle safety features, but this holiday season, we sure are thankful for the option!