CES 2015: Volvo’s new helmet can help cyclists avoid crashes

Cycling’s a fun and environmentally safe way to get around, but it can also be dangerous. That’s why Volvo’s developed an innovative new system that goes beyond standard safety gadgets, aiming to get cyclists and motorists in sync in order to prevent accidents.

Volvo’s new XC90 already comes with the City Safety system, tech that can detect cyclists, alert the driver to their presence, and auto-brake to avoid them if necessary. As the company’s reps explained at this year’s CES, they plan to connect this to a helmet using a smartphone app, so that cyclists can be similarly alerted (via a light on their helmet) when a car’s getting too close.

Says Volvo Cars VP Klas Bendrik, ‘By exploring cloud-based safety systems, we are getting ever closer to eliminating the remaining blind spots between cars and cyclists.’ The helmet’s just a prototype at present, but here’s hoping it’s on our roads – and saving lives – soon.

This week we’re bringing you all the latest news, videos and gossip from CES 2015 in Las Vegas. Check out the CES 2015 page to keep up to date and subscribe to our YouTube channel to see hands-on news with our editor Holly Brockwell from the show floor.