POC has partnered with Volvo Car Group to explore new ideas for protecting road cyclists. Engineers and product designers from both Swedish brands will work together and plan to apply the findings to upcoming products.
"With POC's mission of doing the best we can to possibly save lives and reduce the consequences of accidents for gravity sports athletes and cyclists, it's a treasure to interact on cycling safety together with Volvo Cars," said Stefan Ytterborn, POC founder and CEO. "They have the vision, competence and experience and have been leading the development within road safety for more than 80 years."
The collaboration will work to improve the interactions between cyclists and motorists. POC's upcoming AVIP road cycling product line, shown at right, is designed to increase the visibility of cyclists and improve the communication between the two groups. Volvo is working to create technology that will notify both the cyclists and the driver of each other's presence. The first results will be presented during the second half of 2014.
"Communication with cyclists around the car is a possible extension of our ground-breaking Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection technology," said Jan Ivarsson, senior manager, safety strategy and requirements at Volvo Car Group. "Providing the cyclist with a confirmation that he or she is seen by the vehicle can make interaction between cars and cyclists smoother and safer in urban areas."
"The partnership with POC will be inspiring and fruitful," said Thomas Ingenlath, senior vice president design of Volvo Car Group. "Both of our companies have a strong emphasis on safety and protection. POC can inspire us to make safety an emotional experience and to create even more desirable cars. Their products blend functional design with lightweight, high performance materials that offer the ultimate sense of freedom and protection when things really get rough. This is perfectly in tune with our aim to make functionality and safety an emotional experience."
Based in Stockholm, Sweden and acquired by Black Dimaond Inc. in 2012, POC designs and makes helmets, body armor, goggles, eyewear, gloves and apparel for gravity sports participants.
