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!

Car manufacturers are struggling to find the right balance between loading up new car models with modern technology and keeping the vehicle safe to operate and free of distractions. We’ve seen all kinds of ideas, from cars that communicate with one another to disabling cell phones inside cars so they can’t work when the car is in motion.

One way car manufacturers have really nailed the balance between technology and safety is with voice-activated technology. Install all the high-tech touch screens you want, as long as there is an easy-to-use, intuitive voice-activation system so we don’t have to take our eyes off the road to use the GPS or change the vent settings!

Another way manufacturers are balancing technology and safety is by incorporating Bluetooth into almost every new car. There is now virtually no need to take your cell phone out while you are in the car, which is definitely a feature we applaud. Make calls, send texts, listen to your music, and stay connected to social media, all through your car’s voice-activated Bluetooth system - and keep your hands where they need to be: on the wheel!

While we think these features will stick around for good, we can’t help but wonder where auto manufacturers are headed next. With endless talk of cars that will “drive themselves,” we wonder just how far this technology will take us. And, is it really safe?

Volvo, leaders in auto safety, is currently testing a technology that would track driver eye movements. When the car senses the driver is not looking at the road, it will flash a series of lights on the dashboard to get the driver’s focus back on the road. Cadillac is testing something similar, which would use a vibrating seat that pulses when the car veers out of its lane. Lexus has a system which monitors the driver and uses flashing lights and warning chimes to regain driver attention, and can automatically brake if the driver does not take control.

From what we can see, these technologies are safety steps to keep drivers aware and focused on the road and could eventually be incorporated into a car that drives itself. Could these be the first steps to creating a car that drives itself and, at the same time, making sure there is a competent driver behind the wheel to take control in the event something goes wrong? Only time will tell… but for now we can put these newer technologies to good use to keep us safe while driving today.