Volvo
Connecting Volvo’s e-Call technology to streetlights - allowing them to act as a digital warning triangle.
The problem
Despite a quarter of the traffic, half of the most severe accidents occur at night. Making the darkest hours the most dangerous. In the event of an accident, a physical warning triangle is to be placed on the ground. A warning difficult to perceive during the day, and even more so at night. Leading to more severe accidents than the original one.
The insight
Cars have become safer and safer, but the roads have stayed the same.
The idea
Therefore Volvo reinvents the warning triangle, lifting it off the ground. The eLight System is the first emergency system using streetlights to detect accidents and signal other drivers.
Through integration with the eCall system in cars, linked to a street lighting controllership, the lights will automatically switch to red upon detecting an accident. Ensuring safer roads and safer nights - for the security of all lives.
This idea showcases how we can utilize existing technology in a new context, to solve a problem it wasn’t initially created to address. This is a way for Volvo to further take the lead in safety advancements and making the roads safer for everyone.
01.
By using eCall technology, streetlights are connected to cars, enhancing road safety through real-time communication.
In the event of an accident, the streetlights within braking distance immediately turn red. This rapid response is triggered by the eCall system in the car, which detects the collision and sends a signal to the streetlights.
02.
03.
This alerts drivers up to 500 meters away, providing them with enough time to slow down and avoid further collisions. The early warning ensures that approaching drivers can react promptly, thereby reducing the risk of additional accidents.
