By ATN Editorial Team
Summary: Volvo Cars is adding four new Volvo Connected Safety alerts to the EX90, ES90 and EX60 through a software update, covering large animals, vulnerable road users, roadworks and accidents ahead.
Key engineering takeaway: Volvo Connected Safety, first launched in 2016, works by sharing hazard events between vehicles in real time rather than relying on a single car detecting the hazard with its own sensors. More than 1 million Volvo cars have the function activated, and the alert data is exchanged through the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem, so it also reaches vehicles from other manufacturers and national traffic management centres. The four new alerts join the existing Slippery Road Alert and Hazard Light Alert.
Why it matters: Volvo Connected Safety is one of the few production examples of cross-brand hazard data exchange running at fleet scale, which is the part that matters to anyone working on V2X or ADAS perception. A fleet-sourced alert arrives before the hazard is within range of the car’s own cameras and radar, which is precisely the case that onboard perception handles worst, on winding roads and in poor visibility.
Volvo Cars is introducing new Connected Safety features to alert drivers of hazards ahead, so they have more time to adapt and drive more safely. As part of the same software update, Volvo EX90 and ES90 drivers will be able to enjoy Spatial Audio support in Apple CarPlay*, taking music and audio to the next level.
First launched in 2016, Volvo Cars’ connected safety technology enables real-time hazard alerts based on data shared from other cars. The latest software update introduces four new alerts:
- The Large Animal Alert can warn other drivers if a large animal is detected on or near the road ahead.
- The Vulnerable Road User Alert can warn other drivers if pedestrians and cyclists are detected ahead on or near highways.
- The Roadwork Alert can warn other drivers when roadwork is detected ahead.
- The Accident Ahead Alert can warn other drivers of accidents further ahead, using real-time data from connected Volvo cars or traffic management centres.
Available in the Volvo EX90, ES90 and EX60, these features expand the system’s ability to provide clear, early warnings – especially in low-visibility conditions such as winding roads or poor weather. These complement existing features like the Slippery Road Alert and Hazard Light Alert.
How Volvo Connected Safety Shares Data Between Brands
Today, more than 1 million Volvo cars have activated connected safety tech, turning everyday journeys into a collective safety effort. Through the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem, the alert data can also be shared with cars from other brands and national traffic management centres, contributing to safer roads for everyone.
Built on decades of our real-world safety insight, these innovations represent another step towards our vision of zero collisions. Every time a Volvo car shares safety intelligence, it helps other drivers prepare earlier to avoid accidents and feel safer.
Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo Cars Safety Centre
Spatial Audio And Dolby Atmos In The EX90 And ES90
The latest software update also brings Spatial Audio support in CarPlay* to the Volvo EX90 and ES90 with Dolby Atmos technology. Enabled by the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system including 25 high-performance speakers, Volvo drivers can enjoy a multi-dimensional and immersive sound experience that places music and vocals around the cabin.
From a favourite track to a live performance or a podcast, Spatial Audio powered by Dolby Atmos adds depth and detail to everything you listen to – making every drive feel richer, more engaging and more enjoyable.
Software Updates And Availability
Volvo Cars was recently recognised by S&P Global Mobility as the only legacy carmaker to reach Level 5 capability in software-defined cars. The latest software update exemplifies how these vehicles continue to add safety features and become better over time.
- The new connected safety features mentioned above will be available in Volvo EX60, EX90 and ES90 in Europe, US and Canada. Timing of availability may vary depending on car model.
- Spatial Audio in CarPlay requires a Bowers & Wilkins sound system to deliver a fully immersive experience, which is available to choose when ordering the Volvo EX60, EX90 and ES90.
Further Reading
- Why A Common Language Is Key To The Success Of V2X
- Connected Vehicle Fleet Reveals Invisible Black Ice Hotspots
- What Is An Image Signal Processor (ISP)? An Engineer’s Guide
- Euro NCAP Approves Full Suite Of AB Dynamics ADAS Targets
For more ADAS news, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Volvo Connected Safety?
Volvo Connected Safety is a cloud-based system, first launched in 2016, in which Volvo cars share hazard events with one another in real time. When one car detects a hazard such as a slippery surface, activated hazard lights, a large animal, roadworks or an accident, the event is uploaded and pushed to other cars approaching the same location, so the driver is warned before the hazard is within range of the car’s own sensors.
Which Volvo models get the new connected safety alerts?
The Large Animal Alert, Vulnerable Road User Alert, Roadwork Alert and Accident Ahead Alert are coming to the Volvo EX90, ES90 and EX60 in Europe, the United States and Canada. Volvo says timing varies by model.
What is the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem?
Data for Road Safety is a European public-private partnership through which vehicle manufacturers, road authorities and service providers pool safety-related traffic data. It gives the alerts generated by one brand’s fleet a route to cars from other manufacturers and to national traffic management centres.
How does a connected alert differ from an ADAS sensor warning?
An ADAS warning comes from the car’s own cameras, radar or lidar and is limited to what those sensors can currently see, which on a blind bend or in heavy rain may be very little. A connected alert is generated by a different vehicle that has already passed the hazard, so the warning can arrive hundreds of metres earlier and does not depend on line of sight.
Do the alerts reach cars from other manufacturers?
Yes. Volvo states that the alert data can be shared with cars from other brands and with national traffic management centres through the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem, rather than staying inside the Volvo fleet.
[…] Auto Tech News — “Volvo Connected Safety Adds Animal And Roadwork Hazard Alerts” (August 26, 2026; supplementary specialist coverage that largely follows Volvo’s announcement) […]