Volvo Launches Vehicle-to-Vehicle Hazard Alerts in Europe and U.S., Sharing Crash and Roadwork Data

On August 26, 2024, Volvo announced the addition of a new hazard warning feature for its EX90, ES90, and EX60 models. This feature shares real-time road hazard information between connected vehicles, alerting drivers to four types of risks ahead: large animals, pedestrians, cyclists, and road hazards such as construction zones or traffic accidents. The system leverages data from Volvo’s fleet deployed across Europe, the United States, and Canada. When a vehicle’s sensors and cameras detect a hazard, the system automatically logs its location and uploads the information to a central server, which then pushes alerts to other Volvo vehicles traveling on the same road segment. For the feature to function, vehicles must maintain a cloud connection, and the relevant road must be included in the map database. Currently, one million Volvo cars already support this connected safety warning capability. The warning data will also be shared with traffic management centers and other automotive brands. Since 2016, Volvo has used a cloud-based system developed in collaboration with Ericsson to analyze data from vehicle steering, braking, and acceleration sensors to detect slippery road conditions. Additionally, when nearby vehicles activate their hazard warning lights, the system sends notifications to other connected vehicles.