Car loan customers 'could benefit from gadget co-ordination research'

Apr 22 2008

A car manufacturer is bidding to reduce driver stress levels by developing technology that will co-ordinate car gadgets.

VOLVO is running a Europe-wide research project that aims to create a user interface with what could be a baffling number of systems in a car, which could provoke interest from Car Credit customers.

The company's project presented some of its findings earlier this month and has made some details fully public for the first time.

Safety director at Volvo trucks Lars-Goran Lowenadler said: 'If we can provide technology that adapts support systems to suit the individual driver and the current traffic situation, many accidents could be avoided.'

Conclusions featured the idea of more user-friendly instrument panels and co-ordination of safety functions.

A better understanding of how drivers, including those with Car Loans, respond to different audio and visual signals could also be helpful, the project says.

About 30 firms took part in the scheme with some funding coming directly from the EU.

Volvo said many of those who took part felt co-operation between researchers, the industry and governments was significant in making progress with the initiative.

Bosses said technology firms will be able to use the research when developing new in-car gadgets in future.

More from   Motoring   VOLVO