Volvo Cars is undertaking research in Australia that will help it develop kangaroo detection and collision avoidance technology to address one of the most costly causes of traffic collisions in the country.
A team of Volvo safety experts are currently studying kangaroos in the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve near the capital city of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, where vehicular collisions involving kangaroos are frequent occurrences. The research involves filming and studying kangaroos’ roadside behavior.
“Whereas Volvo Cars’ pedestrian detection technology is geared towards city driving, our kangaroo detection research focuses on highway speed situations,” said Martin Magnusson, senior safety engineer at Volvo Cars.
“In Sweden we have carried out research involving larger, slower moving animals like moose, reindeer and cows, which are a serious threat on our roads. Kangaroos are smaller than these animals and their behavior is more erratic; this is why it’s important that we test and calibrate our technology on real kangaroos in their natural environment.”
For a snapshot of what Volvo experts got up to click here.
November 3, 2015
