Volvo BLIS wins Autocar Safety and Technology Award

One thing that automakers should be blissful about is receiving prestigious awards. This bliss can be reflected from Volvo executives after BLIS was given one great award from Autocar. Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), an advanced safety innovation introduced by the automaker to avoid road accidents won the Autocar Safety and Technology Award for this year.

BLIS was the first system of its kind in the auto industry. It uses smart digital camera system, which is incorporated into auto door mirrors to continuously supervise the monitored zone alongside the car for other obstacles and obstructions. When the system detects other vehicles, it sends alerts to the driver by emitting an orange light in the A-pillar near the door mirror. "The Volvo BLIS system is the simplest, most useful, original and intuitive safety gadget to reach the production line in years. Alongside its affordability that means owners will use it and benefit from it," said Charles Hallett, Autocar editor.

Volvo believes that preventing accidents happening in the first place is as important as reducing the number of injuries and fatalities, and as the leading company in the field of car safety, Volvo will continue to actively develop new safety technology. Volvo first previewed the BLIS system in its Safety Concept Car in 2001, so we are now very pleased to see this technology in production," said Ingrid Skogsmo, director of the Volvo Safety Centre during the awarding.

Despite the presence of rear-view mirrors, vehicles are always at risk of blind spots. As a fact, these risks can cause road accidents especially when changing lanes. Hence, Volvo delivered BLIS for the automotive market to take advantage of. The system is active at all speeds above 10 km/h. Further, it is designed to alert the driver about vehicles in the monitored zone moving a maximum of 20 km/h slower or 70 km/h faster than the driver's own vehicle.

The automaker believes the additional visual information that is delivered by the BLIS system is practically useful in improving road safety. BLIS is now offered on all the Volvo range including the new C30 SportsCoupe. Volvo V40 car parts, for instance, are upgraded to welcome this outstanding technology from the automaker.