This is probably the first instance of the automatic braking systems that we have read about or seen in science fiction movies come into production. The Volvo XC60 acts like an extra pair of eyes and can actually monitor the road in front of you. If it feels that a collision with the car in front is imminent it can even apply the brakes.

The risk of rear-end collisions is particularly great in city traffic with its constant alternation between braking and accelerating. 75 percent of accidents recorded by the police occur at speeds below 30 km/h. It is precisely at these speeds, in slow-moving or stop and go traffic, that this sensor system, developed and manufactured by Continental around the Closing Velocity (CV) sensor, reduces the risk of a rear-end collision.

Fitted level with the inside mirror in the area cleaned by the windshield wiper, the sensor uses three infrared beams to probe the road up to some six meters in front of the vehicle. The sensor picks up vehicles which are stationary or traveling in the same direction. If the gap is less than the distance which must be regarded as critical at the current speed, the system causes the brakes to be applied automatically.