Trucks
Volvo Dynamic Steering is designed to give perfect precision and take the strain out of steering. The Volvo Dynamic Steering unit combines conventional hydraulic power steering with an electric motor that is fitted to the steering gear.
Camera
The camera monitors the lane markings on the road from approximately 5 to 50 metres ahead of the vehicle. When the Lane Keeping Assist system is turned on and the truck drifts too close to the lane marking, the truck steers back into the lane.
Control unit
Information on the movement of the truck, such as its speed and the position of the lane markings, is processed in order to send requests to Volvo Dynamic Steering.
Personal setting controls
Through controls on the steering wheel and the infotainment system, the driver can adjust the steering preferences for the vehicle.
ESC and yaw-rate sensor
The yaw-rate sensor measures the rotation rate of the truck and registers if it has begun to skid. The Volvo Dynamic Steering collects this information in order to countersteer. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is triggered and slows down the vehicle.
External sensors
Volvo Dynamic Steering acts on information that is gathered from different sensors that are spread throughout the truck.
LANE KEEPING ASSIST
Volvo Dynamic Steering with Lane Keeping Assist is designed to stop trucks from drifting out of their lane. It provides either a gentle steering intervention or a pulse through the steering wheel to alert the driver when the truck has drifted over a lane marking.
Fatigue and inattention can cause vehicles to drift into the wrong lane, which can result in roll-over accidents or serious vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.
Now, the new Volvo Dynamic Steering with Lane Keeping Assist includes corrective steering. If a truck is on its way to drifting out of its own lane, the system supports the driver with a short corrective steering measure to guide the vehicle into the lane again. The intervention is gentle, allowing the driver easily to override it when swerving to avoid an object or making another manoeuvre. When an intervention is ongoing, an icon appears on the instrument cluster.
When the truck has reached a speed of 55 km/hour and the Lane Keeping Assist system is able to monitor its position on the road, the system comes on and a white icon appears on the instrument panel.
If the truck then begins to drift out of its own lane, the system supports the driver with a short corrective steering measure to guide the vehicle into the lane again. A green icon in the instrument panel shows that an intervention is ongoing.
“We think this system can save lives. A lane departure can happen in an instant.”
Carl Johan Almqvist, Traffic & Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks, sees the technology as a breakthrough.
“We think this system can save lives. A lane departure can happen in an instant. A second’s inattention and the truck can drift into another lane or into oncoming traffic. Lane Keeping Assist is designed to be intuitive and unobtrusive, while, at the same time, being absolutely critical.”
Since 2007, Volvo Trucks has offered Lane Keeping Support, which monitors the truck position on the road and sends out an alert when the truck gets too close to the edge of its lane. Through the Lane Keeping Assist system, the audible lane-departure alert has been replaced with the non-intrusive vibration in the steering wheel and a visual icon in the instrument cluster to warn drivers as they approach the edge of their lane.
STABILITY ASSIST
Volvo Dynamic Steering with Stability Assist minimises the risk of skidding on slippery roads and can help prevent life-threatening accidents.
Losing control of the vehicle on slippery roads is something every driver wants to avoid. When a truck starts to skid, it is important quickly and smoothly to countersteer the vehicle in the right direction to keep control. But even the best drivers can be surprised by difficult road conditions. The road may be icy, covered in water, wet leaves or sand or may have low friction for other reasons.
Volvo Dynamic Steering with Stability Assist helps the driver to keep control of the vehicle by guiding the steering torque when the truck starts to skid. It also helps the Electronic Stability Control system to act faster.
Once the system detects that the truck is starting to skid, the Stability Assist function reacts instantly and starts to countersteer in the same way a professional driver would to counteract skidding. The system is especially helpful when driving on a low-friction road uphill or when cornering.
“Skidding is not something you ever want to experience as a truck driver out on the road. This system reacts at lightning speed to countersteer.”
Gustav Neander, Project Manager Volvo Dynamic Steering at Volvo Trucks, thinks that Stability Assist makes a big difference when driving in slippery conditions.
“Skidding is not something you ever want to experience as a truck driver out on the road. Recently, I drove a truck back from the north of Sweden to Volvo Trucks’ headquarters in Gothenburg through snow, ice and rain. We saw several trucks along the route that had skidded off the road. This system reacts at lightning speed to countersteer and prevents these types of skidding accident. It makes driving in snowy, wet or gravelly conditions much easier,” says Gustav Neander.
PERSONAL SETTINGS
Through the new Personal Settings function, drivers are able to fully customise the steering on a Volvo truck equipped with Volvo Dynamic Steering. The system allows drivers to choose between pre-programmed settings or customise their steering preference using four different variables (Straight, Cornering, Damping and Return) to get the perfectly tuned steering response.
Default
Delivers a balanced feel. Volvo Trucks’ default setting is based on the preferred settings of truck drivers using Volvo Dynamic Steering in the field.
Light
Delivers light, responsive steering.
Responsive
Delivers more rigid steering with a sporty feel.
Stable
Delivers firm steering with good response.
Custom
The CUSTOM Volvo Dynamic Steering menu allows drivers to tune the steering perfectly. Adjusting the STRAIGHT setting gives the driver lighter or firmer steering. Tuning the CORNERING variable can ease or stiffen steering on corners and turns. DAMPING controls how fluid the steering feels. RETURN controls the speed of the wheel return when manoeuvering at low speed.
An additional setting makes it easier to drive the truck straight by calibrating the straight-ahead angle. This is useful when driving for long stretches in high winds or on slanting roads.