A safe drive

AEIgets behind the wheel of Volvo's Safety Concept Car to sample its many innovative technologies.

Volvo Car Corp.'s safety philosophy is that seeing is believing. So when it designed and built its Safety Concept Car (SCC), it put sharp focus on providing the driver with “superior vision” by using a combination of electronic technology and novel construction. Now, after taking the $4 million concept to major motor shows around the world, Volvo has allowed a limited number of specialist writers, including this AEI editor, to drive it.

Getting acquainted with the SCC is literally a moving experience. The driver sits behind the steering wheel and looks momentarily at an infrared sensor and video camera (there is also a capacitive sensor in the roof) above the windshield (sunglasses or spectacles need to be removed), and the seat promptly makes a smooth vertical adjustment. If the driver desires, he or she can alter the driving position by pushing buttons that adjust pedals, steering wheel, center console, and gearshift.