The electric replacement for the Volvo XC90 is coming soon. In a video announcement, Volvo CEO Jim Rowan confirmed both the name of the new SUV and its launch date. It’s called the EX90, and it will be unveiled in full on November 9. But being a Volvo, there’s a bit more to it.
In this first official announcement, Volvo offers a preview of some of the safety technologies that will be standard for the EX90. It includes a suite of cameras, sensors, lasers and software that monitor both the outside environment and the driver.
“All Volvo EX90s will be fitted with an Invisible Safety Shield, a unique combination of the latest technology, fueled by understanding the environment outside the car and the driver’s condition inside,” Rowen said. .
This notion of agreement breaks down into two areas. Externally, the EX90 will use an advanced Lidar system along with 16 ultrasonic sensors, eight cameras and five radars to monitor the environment. Volvo’s in-house software pulls it all together, and the automaker says it’s one of the most advanced systems available. It is able to detect non-reflective objects such as a tire on the road at 120 meters (394 feet) and pedestrians at 250 meters (820 feet), while driving at 120 km/h (75 mph).
The second area comes inside, and that may be where agreement takes on a whole new meaning. More sensors and cameras are trained on the driver, monitoring eyes and grip on the steering wheel, but it’s not just double-checking to make sure eyes are on the road. Volvo uses its own software to assess the driver’s overall awareness, and if things are not normal the system will alert the driver. If the system determines that the driver is unresponsive, it shuts down the EX90 and calls for help.
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Patent images were discovered earlier in the year, offering a look at the styling of the EX90. It shouldn’t stray too far from the familiar XC90 formula, although it will ride on a new, purpose-built platform. We expect to hear more about the EX90 in the weeks leading up to its November 9 debut.
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