Volvo unveils concept car at auto show

Wednesday, January 10, 2001

Detroit--Volvo, a company with a reputation for safe cars, unveiled its new safety concept car this week at the North American International Auto Show.

Many features on the SCC improve visibility.75a very important factor in automotive safety according Erling Pedersen, the Volvo safety concept car project director. The features include active rear-view mirrors that alert drivers when another car is in the driver's "blind spot," redesigned pillars, rearward facing cameras, night vision system, and adaptive lights that adjust based on the car's speed.

"It's easy to overload the driver with technology in a car," says Pedersen. "We want to keep the interaction simple, with minimal distractions."

The new car also automatically adjusts the steering wheel, pedals, and center console based on the position of the driver's eye. Using a sensor that scans and detects the position of the driver's eyes, the SCC automatically sets the appropriate seating, but drivers can make adjustments if desired.

Johnson Controls (Milwaukee, WI) worked with Volvo Cars developing the first adjustable seat, pedal box, and software system for an adjustable center console and steering wheel. Ford Motor Co. also participated in development of the SCC.

For more information, go to www.johnsoncontrols.com.