Next-gen Volvos to feature roof-mounted LIDARs

Volvo has announced it will reposition the LIDAR sensor within the roofs of its vehicle in future in a bid to boost the capability of its autonomous vehicle (AV) technology.

Forging a new partnership with Silicon Valley-based tech firm Luminar, which makes state-of-the-art sensors, Volvo says the new tech will be fitted as standard to models based on its heavily updated SPA2 architecture due to be introduced from 2022.

These are expected to include the next-generation Volvo XC60, XC90 and S90 sedan and V90 wagon. According to the Swedish brand, repositioning the LIDAR sensors above the windscreen will allow it to roll out its Highway Pilot system.

The new autonomous driving aid is said to enable full hands-off and eyes-off driving on multi-lane environments – but only if the individual geographic location and conditions have been vetted by the car.

Capable of emitting millions of pulses of laser light a second, the Luminar LIDAR works by scanning the immediate road ahead to create a virtual 3D real-time image, enabling the Volvo to safely navigate the road ahead.

As the sophistication of the software increases, so will the abilities of Highway Pilot via over-the-air updates, says Volvo.

Commenting on the new cooperation with Luminar, Volvo's chief technology officer Henrik Green said: “Autonomous drive has the potential to be one of the most lifesaving technologies in history, if introduced responsibly and safely.

"For us, a safe introduction of autonomy is a gradual introduction.”

Following its partnership with Luminar, it's thought Volvo is planning to take a stake in the US-based tech firm.