Volvo Group is the first truck manufacturer to launch an Augmented Reality (AR) safety app for electric trucks, designed specifically to support first responders in an emergency.
Volvo Trucks says electric trucks will change the world, not only in terms of making transportation more sustainable, but also in how we drive and interact with the vehicles themselves. A new truck safety app, launched by the company, is a testament to this idea.
The smartphone app, now available for download, 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 using augmented reality technology.
“Volvo Group’s overall ambition is to deliver 100 per cent 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,” says Volvo Group Chief Technology Officer Lars Stenqvist.
“The new AR app is a powerful tool that can support the emergency services to quickly and safely secure the site, while minimising the risk of injury to themselves and others.”
The Emergency Response Guide 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 June 2023.
By using a combination of connectivity, camera, sensors, 3D modelling, and augmented reality overlays, the safety app can provide first responders with a detailed view of the vehicle.
Volvo says 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 developed by a team of experts at Volvo Group’s Research & Development facilities in Sweden, France, and the United States. Apart from augmented reality information and 3D models, the app also contains all safety documentation relating to the electric truck, which will be accessible to the app user once the truck is identified.
AR Expert & Business Solution Engineer at Volvo Group Vincent Barnoux says: “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.”