Streetsblog posted this video of a disguised Volvo S60 prototype that the company is testing in Copenhagen that has a computer system which can essentially detect possible pedestrian collisions and prevent them from happening.
The system basically uses a series of sensors that detect objects around the car and if the car seems to be headed for a collision, the vehicle will either 1) slow down significantly if it is going over 25km/h; or 2) stop completely if it is already going under 25km/h.
Certainly an interesting idea and I really wonder how well this system would hold up in a city as crowded and fast-moving as NYC. Volvo hopes to have some sort of pedestrian detection system in their S60 vehicles by 2010 if all goes well in testing.
