Imagine driving along a country road unaware that a tractor is about to appear out of a side turning hidden from sight around the next bend in the road. The driver has no idea but the car does. Sensors in the vehicle have identified its shape and size and predicted the tractors course and speed. An on-board computer calculates a strategy and without the need for human help, a quick burst of speed and a directional tweak is engaged. The tractor pulls out with a few inches to spare instead of hitting the car. This is not science fiction, well yes at the moment it is, but Volvo is working to make it a reality within the next 10 years.

Their aim is to manufacture a car that is uncrashable. Volvo want to build cars that will not crash, with safety strategy a chief priority. They make a bold claim that in 10 years time no one should ever be killed or even moderately injured as a driver or passenger in one of their vehicles. Volvo has an excellent safety record, but even for them it is a tall order. If a car is uncrashable will a motor insurance quote be cheaper? Only time will tell if that will be the case.

Volvo have always been a leader in car manufacture; they were the first car manufacturer to fit safety cages, laminated windscreens, lateral airbags and three-point safety belts. It looks an impossible job, but if anyone can it is Volvo. In 1970 Volvo started to collect data on accidents. They used not just data from themselves but also the insurance industry and the police. Overall it studied more than 40,000 accidents involving 60,000 cars. Volvo will have two car generations before the ten years is up and is currently exploring a number of new technologies.