Volvo Trucks Introduces a Cloud-Based V2V Service Called Connected Safety

author: Eric Walz   

Volvo Trucks is introducing a new cloud-based service called Connected Safety, which allows Volvo trucks and Volvo passenger cars to automatically alert each other to hazardous traffic situations, such as a traffic incident ahead. The technology is known as vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication.

The passenger-car version of Connected Safety was first launched by Volvo Cars in 2016. With Volvo Trucks now rolling out its own version of the service, it's now possible for the two companies share safety-related data between their respective clouds.

"Expanded cooperation between different players is one of the most important keys to improved road safety. If more vehicles are able to exchange real-time information about the traffic situation, it will lower the risk of accidents. With Connected Safety we are opening the door to the future, with the hope that more vehicle manufacturers will join in," says Carl Johan Almqvist, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks.

Connected Safety is designed to send out alerts to nearby vehicles connected to the service whenever a driver activates the vehicle's hazard warning lights.

"A vehicle standing still by the roadside in poor visibility risks being hit from the rear, which can have severe consequences. An alert issued well in advance gives all drivers of nearby cars and trucks the same opportunity to reduce speed, adjust their driving to the traffic situation and avoid a collision," explains Carl Johan Almqvist.  

In the longer term, the cloud-based service can be expanded with additional safety-enhancing functions.

"As the technology undergoes further refinement and more vehicles are linked to the system, real-time information will become an important complement to the various intelligent safety and driver support systems found in our trucks today. Connected Safety marks the start of a new phase in our ongoing drive to promote safe driving and prevent accidents," says Emanuele Piga, Director Customer Solutions & New Services Development at Volvo Trucks.

Volvo Trucks will initially introduce Connected Safety on new trucks in Sweden and Norway, where both Volvo Trucks and Volvo Cars account for a significant proportion of annual new-vehicle registrations.

How it Works

Whenever the hazard warning lights are activated, the truck sends a signal via the driver's Internet-connected mobile phone to Volvo Trucks' cloud service. From there, the information is forwarded to the corresponding service at Volvo Cars. Once the information is received alert is then transmitted to all connected cars and trucks approaching the location of the vehicle whose hazard lights have been activated.

The system will be available in Sweden and Norway during 2018. Connected Safety is applicable to the Volvo FH16, Volvo FH, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX equipped with Volvo Trucks' integrated system for services and infotainment.

Volvo Cars offers Connected Safety with all new Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90, Volvo XC40, Volvo S90, Volvo V60 and Volvo V90 models.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.