Swedish car-maker researching kangaroo detector for Australian cars

Volvo is working on a kangaroo detection system to avoid costly car crashes in Australia.

Volvo researches kangaroo detection system for Australian cars. Image by nickliv / CC BY 2.0

The Swedish firm already has radar and camera-based technology that detects pedestrians and cyclists and automatically brakes to avoid a collision. The car-maker has tested the technology on slower-moving animals like moose and cows in its home country and is now studying kangaroos, which move more quickly and erratically.

A team from Volvo travelled to a nature reserve near Canberra to study kangaroos’ roadside behaviour. Volvo says there are more than 20,000 kangaroo-related road accidents in Australia each year.

(Press Association)