Volvo studying kangaroos to prevent crashes

DETROIT – Volvo Cars is working on a kangaroo detection system to avoid costly car crashes in Australia.

Volvo already has radar and camera-based technology that detects pedestrians and cyclists and automatically brakes to avoid a collision. It says the system reacts even more quickly than human drivers.

Volvo has tested the technology on slower moving animals like moose and cows in its home market of Sweden. Now, it’s studying kangaroos, which move more quickly and erratically.

A team from Volvo traveled to a nature reserve near Canberra this week to study kangaroos’ roadside behavior.

Volvo says there are more than 20,000 car-kangaroo accidents in Australia each year.