We all know how particular Volvo is when it comes to setting safety standards. Their obsession with safety boards has now given birth to a unique piece of testing equipment called the Robocoaster. Volvo Safety Expert Anders Axelson, thought about this idea during a trip to an amusement park.
During a visit to Legoland with his daughters, Axelson noticed a ride called the Robocoaster and was struck by a radical idea to turn the ride into an efficient way to crash test cars. He says "Watching people being thrown in all directions during a ride in the 'Robocoaster', I suddenly realized that those rapid, random movements resembled the violent forces occupants in a run-off road crash are exposed to."
Axelson then, began searching for a similar robot that could be programmed to mimic the exact movements recorded by the company's run-off road crash tests. Of course, he eventually found one through robot manufacturer ABB who were able to develop a multi-axial industrial robot which can be programmed to simulate the effects an occupant would feel during an off-road crash.
As you can see in the video, Volvo used information learned from its own Robocoaster to help develop a run-off road protection package. This includes a rapid seat belt retraction system as well as an energy-absorbing system in the seats that cushion the vertical forces during a hard landing.
Volvo clearly is going one step ahead to showcase technology like this which will eventually be of great use to the end customer.
