Over the years Volvo has been on the cutting edge of technology, working diligently to continue to update and revolutionize how safety is integrated and incorporated into vehicles. As Volvo Cars of North Miami reminds us, Volvo has been the world’s leader in automotive safety for over 100 years. Today it has paired up with top Swedish sports and safety brand POC to develop a world-first car-bike helmet crash test. POC is internationally renowned for its research and development in safety technology and engineering earning over 60 awards for safety, innovation, and design.
Cycling has been a time-old form of exercise and transport all around the world making the daily commute much more efficient and quicker. As cars and bicycles have entered the roadways together, the need for improved safety for both drivers and cyclists has become a more pressing concern as more people are hitting the pavement. Accidents between bicyclists and drivers can often end up to serious injuries and/or death why is why Volvo has stepped up to the plate to progress the safety of their vehicles for everyone.
Current standard safety tests that measure the effective impact of a bike helmet are fairly outdated and rudimentary, most involving dropping a bike helmet from different heights on either flat or angled surfaces. In these tests, Volvo specialists have marked that they do not take into account the vehicle overall which they intend to include. The test itself will be developed and work off of current regulatory testing procedures for pedestrian head protection; this will supply the contrast needed to measure the effect of wearing a helmet versus not wearing a helmet.
“This project with POC is a good example of our pioneering spirit in safety,” said Malin Ekholm, who is head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “We often develop new testing methods for challenging traffic scenarios. Our aim is not only to meet legal requirements or pass rating tests. Instead we go beyond ratings, using real traffic situations to develop technology that further improves safety.”
The test will be composed of various stages involving a crash dummy head mounted on a testing rig that will be equipped with a POC bike helmet. The dummy will be launched at various trajectory angles and velocities towards different areas of the hood of a static Volvo car. This variance in approach and execution is what makes the collaborative effort of both teams integral to developing improved safety testing in this field. The studies from the research project will help POC make its helmets safer and more protective in the event of an accident between a bike and car.
Volvo has always been invested in developing and integrating the best and modern safety functions and features into their vehicles taking into account the safety of the driver as well as any pedestrian on the outside of the vehicle as well. Since 2010 Volvo has released and included an advanced pedestrian detection system, while in 2013 each vehicle further integrated an auto brake system. With the combined efforts of both scientific teams, Volvo Cars and POC look to take safety to the next level, helping to create a better road space for everyone.
