Volvo EVs Now Share Animal Hazard Alerts With Other Vehicles
A new software update enables certain Volvo electric models to detect and broadcast warnings about large animals on or near the road.
Volvo is enhancing its electric vehicle safety with a new over-the-air software update that allows some models to detect and warn other Volvo cars about animal hazards on the road. This feature, known as "Large Animal Alert," aims to improve road safety and potentially reduce animal fatalities.
The update is being rolled out to the new EX60 SUV, EX90 seven-seater SUV, and ES90 saloon EV. The system utilizes a vehicle's sensors and cameras to identify animals such as deer and elk on or near the roadway. Once an animal is detected, the car uploads the location data to the cloud, which then relays the information to nearby compatible Volvo vehicles. Drivers approaching the hazard receive a warning, allowing them to prepare and potentially avoid an accident.
This connected safety feature builds upon Volvo's previous efforts in animal detection. Models from 2013 featured "Animal Detection," and 2015 models introduced "Interior Large Animal Detection," which could identify large animals and automatically apply brakes if the driver did not react. However, these earlier systems could not alert other vehicles.
Beyond animal alerts, the software update also introduces several other "Connected Safety" alerts. These include "Vulnerable Road User Alert" for pedestrians and cyclists, "Roadwork Alert" for detected roadworks, and "Accident Ahead Alert" for real-time incident warnings. These new features complement existing systems like "Slippery Road Alert" and "Hazard Light Alert."
Volvo is also participating in the European Data for Road Safety system, enabling shared safety intelligence with other manufacturers such as Ford, BMW, Volkswagen Group, and Geely. This broader data sharing allows alerts to be transmitted to other vehicle brands and national traffic management centers. According to Åsa Haglund, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, "Every time a Volvo car shares safety intelligence, it helps other drivers prepare earlier, avoid accidents and feel safer."