Volvo has developed a range of new protective systems designed to improve road safety for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

The first of these concepts, Collision Warning with Auto Brake, uses radar to scan for objects in front of and around the car. If the system detects an object ahead, it sounds an alarm and displays a red warning light on the vehicle’s heads-up display.

If the chance of a collision increases, the system applies extra pressure to the brakes, and can activate them automatically if the driver does not.

Collision Avoidance by Auto Steering is a development of the existing Lane Departure warning, which monitors the car’s position between lane markers, and warns the driver if they fail to indicate before changing lane.

The new system uses a camera and radar to monitor the position of the car and oncoming traffic. If it detects that it is moving out into the path of an oncoming vehicle, the system will steer the car back into its original lane. Testing is now focused on assessing the level of intervention and a safe speed range for the system.

Volvo is also developing a system which will allow vehicles to communicate with each other, displaying warnings that will allow the driver to slow down or stop altogether to avoid a collision ahead.

Jonas Ekmark, manager for preventative safety at Volvo Cars Safety Centre said: "Today we need to focus on technologies that predict and prevent accidents from even occurring. It is important to understand that collisions are not inevitable, Preventative Safety is all about helping and supporting the driver to avoid accidents."