Volvo Construction Equipment has launched its Collision Mitigation System for Volvo Wheel Loaders—an automatic braking feature designed to support operator response and help reduce the risk or consequences of collision when working in reverse.
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The new system, which the company claims to be the first of its kind, assists operators while working in reverse and automatically applies service brakes when the wheel loader approaches any obstacle, alerting the operator to take further action.
“We at Volvo CE continue to proactively develop intelligent solutions which not only mitigate the consequences of accidents but strive to avoid them altogether,” says Lars Eriksson, Global Product Manager for wheel loaders at Volvo CE. “This new Collision Mitigation System is one important part of our work to reduce the risk of accidents and help fulfil our commitment towards zero accidents.”
How it works
The Collision Mitigation System identifies when there is a risk of collision and responds by automatically activating the brakes for 2-3 seconds to slow the machine down prior to impact or bring it to a stop to avoid it. According to Volvo CE, this initiation of the braking is meant to alert the operator to intervene.
The system will remember the last slope the machine climbed, allowing operators to reverse down a pile without activating it.
Also, it can also be temporarily deactivated for specific site conditions.
Functioning only when the wheel loader is in reverse and driving at speeds of between 3-15 km/h (1.86-9.32mp/h), no matter what gear it is in, it is designed to serve as a facilitator to jobsite safety.
Even sophisticated assistance systems like this cannot completely eliminate accidents and Volvo CE asserts that it always advocates for safe operator driving behavior.
A boost for jobsite safety
Developed in-house by Volvo CE, the patent-pending Collision Mitigation System for Volvo Wheel Loaders is a factory-fit option currently available on the L110H/L120H equipped with OptiShift, L150H, L180H, L220H, L260H and L200H High Lift wheel loaders.
Requiring a Radar Detect System to be fitted, it works as an additional system to the existing features, options and site services provided by Volvo CE for its line of wheel loaders.
