A Really Good Question

The other day, we were asked if we keep adding systems like Blind Spot, Driver Alert, Lane Departure, Collision Warning with Auto Braking, City Safety and, in the future, Pedestrian Safety, if we are taking control away from the driver. Well yes and no.

This question came up years ago when manufactures started adding ABS and anti-skid control to cars. Yes, it took the skill out of driving when certain parameters were exceeded. In a sense it took the fun from probably 1/10 of one percent of drivers.  Regardless of how reports might state that ABS doesn’t work, and of course they have data to back up their opinion, I’d love to take anyone who disputes that claim out to the NJ Turnpike and panic stop in slippery conditions. ABS and anti-skid technology is for the masses. Some auto writers hate having that kind of ‘intrusive’ control. But my mother will love it if ever she needed it (she drives a nice white V50).

Do we have too many systems and do they impact your ability to enjoy driving? Let’s tackle ability to drive and what we do at Volvo to help you concentrate on driving. In 2001, our Safety Concept Car (later to become the C30) was a $10 million future laboratory for safety technology. One system created was Blind Spot Identification System (BLIS).  For BLIS there were five driver inputs going on – at the same time: inside rear view mirror, outside rear view mirror, five leds in outside mirror housing (that light up in relation to approaching vehicle), audible tone (increased in pitch as a vehicle approached) and a TV monitor in the instrument panel showing vehicles approaching. Talk about information overload. After Human Machine Interface (HMI) studies, we ended up with one small amber led in line-of-sight to the outside mirror, a warning that does not require interpretation. Good HMI is all about making technology transparent.

The XC60 concept gave a glimpse of an ultimate instrument panel:

Do we really need to monitor all functions, all the time?  Remember ‘Turbo Boost’ gauges?  The excitement was gone after a few days. Does it need to be as stark as this?  What functions do we need? Do we need some gauges just to monitor systems for our own assurance that all is well?  When should they be important to me?  All are good questions that we’re working on for future Volvos.

We add systems to help drivers make decisions and to assist when the driver is, for whatever reason, not able to react in a pre-determined manner. Think of this as if you have a back-up driver waiting to help. We want to give you the driver an unobstructed driving experience, to keep the fun in driving.  Driving is like combat, 99 percent of the time is boredom punctuated by 1 percent of time of fear. Your car should help you make good informed decisions and help when help is needed. You know….the three-point seat belt was probably considered ‘high tech’ at first.

BTW

In Sweden to get your driver’s license you have to study, like really study. The whole process costs about $2,000 and your test isn’t just one parallel parking and lane changing etiquette test. Some of the world’s best rally drivers are Scandinavian. They know cars, love to drive for fun and they take driving seriously. Here’s what they have to go though for privilege of driving.

You have a great day. Drive safely.

Tags: ABS, anti-skid, blind spot, pedestrian safety, Safety Concept Car