Volvo launches world’s 1st electric truck safety app with Augmented Reality

Volvo launches world’s 1st electric truck safety app with Augmented Reality

trans.info — 2023-05-16

Land transportation

The safety app has been developed by a team of experts at Volvo Group’s Research & Development facilities in Sweden, France, and the United States.

The truck manufacturer says its app is developed to deliver instant, valuable information from the electric truck to the emergency services team arriving on the scene to guide them in real-time and ensure safe rescue conditions.

Volvo adds that the high-voltage systems capable of powering a heavy electric truck is changing how we regard emergency response, as it requires its own set of new safety parameters and routines.

Commenting on the launch of the app, Lars Stenqvist, Chief Technology Officer at Volvo Group, said, “Volvo Group’s overall ambition is to deliver 100 percent safe products. We are proud to be at the forefront of the electric truck revolution with high-performing solutions, but we also recognize the importance of ensuring the safety of first responders who are called to an emergency should an incident with an electric vehicle occur. The new AR app is a powerful tool that can support the emergency services to quickly and safely secure the site, while minimizing the risk of injury to themselves and others.

According to Volvo, the app provides safety information for all Volvo Group heavy electric truck brands, including Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks and Mack Trucks. For Mack electric trucks, the AR features will be added during 2023 June.

Volvo claims that by using a combination of connectivity, camera, sensors, 3D modeling, and augmented reality overlays, the safety app can provide first responders with a detailed view of the vehicle.

Moreover, the app offers information on the location of high-voltage cables, battery packs, and other key components as well as step-by-step instructions on how to safely shut down the electric vehicle’s power supply in case of an emergency.

The safety app has been tested in a variety of real-world scenarios and has received positive feedback from first responders who have tried it in the field,” added Vincent Barnoux, AR Expert & Business Solution Engineer at Volvo Group.

The app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.