Volvo has released a short video showing the first road test of their new Run Off Road Protection system on the new Volvo XC90 crossover. The new safety feature is one of the first of its kind and prepares the car's occupants for impact once it senses that the car has left the road.
Among the features on the new safety system is seat belt retraction and spine protection. The car's airbags are also deployed to protect against a possible front-end collision. The system even retracts the brake pedal to protect against injury during impact.
The new video was taken at Volvo's Swedish facility and shows a XC90 prototype driving off the side of a road, hitting an embankment and then going airborne for a few seconds. Unfortunately, we can't see inside the car to find out the results of the test, but you can watch a brief animation video below that shows you exactly what the system does to protect drivers.
All in all, it's a very clever system and one that has been needed on American highways for a while now. A forerunner in practical and important safety technology, Volvo continues to push the boundaries on what an automaker can do to make their cars safer. Take a look at the videos to see the new Run Off Road Protection feature in action.
