Volvo Group has taken a significant leap forward as the first truck manufacturer to introduce an Augmented Reality (AR) safety app specifically designed for electric trucks. This groundbreaking app aims to provide crucial support to first responders during emergencies by delivering instantaneous, invaluable information from the electric truck, guiding them in real-time and ensuring safe rescue operations.
The advent of electric trucks not only promises a transformative impact on transportation sustainability but also revolutionizes the way we drive and interact with these vehicles. The advanced technology, particularly the high-voltage systems powering heavy electric trucks, necessitates the establishment of new safety parameters and protocols for emergency response.
Lars Stenqvist, Chief Technology Officer of Volvo Group, emphasized the company’s overarching objective of delivering 100 percent safe products. While celebrating their pioneering role in the electric truck revolution with high-performance solutions, Volvo Group recognizes the paramount importance of ensuring the safety of first responders attending emergencies involving electric vehicles. Stenqvist expressed his confidence in the newly developed AR app, hailing it as a powerful tool that enables emergency services to swiftly and securely manage the scene, minimizing risks to themselves and others.
The Emergency Response Guide app, now available for free download from both the Android and Apple app stores, equips first responders with comprehensive safety information for all Volvo Group heavy electric truck brands, including Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks, and Mack Trucks. The AR features for Mack electric trucks will be added in June 2023.
Leveraging a combination of connectivity, camera technology, sensors, 3D modeling, and augmented reality overlays, the safety app offers first responders a detailed view of the electric vehicle. It provides crucial insights into the location of high-voltage cables, battery packs, and other essential components. Moreover, step-by-step instructions on safely disconnecting the electric vehicle’s power supply during emergencies are readily available through the app.
A team of experts from Volvo Group’s Research & Development facilities in Sweden, France, and the United States has spearheaded the development of this cutting-edge safety app. In addition to its augmented reality features and 3D models, the app encompasses all safety documentation pertaining to the electric truck, ensuring accessibility once the specific vehicle is identified.
Vincent Barnoux, an AR Expert & Business Solution Engineer at Volvo Group, highlighted the rigorous real-world testing conducted on the safety app. Positive feedback from first responders who have trialed the app in the field attests to its effectiveness and reliability.
