Exclusive Media Unveiling May 21; Volvo's Hi-Tech Safety Concept Car

    NEW YORK, May 17 A car that detects heart beats.  A car
that reads fingerprints.  A car that keeps occupants belted with four-point
safety belts.  An 'eyeball' sensor to adjust driver controls automatically.  A
car that communicates with your computer.  And a car that gives you perfect
view of the surroundings.
    Volvo will unveil its first safety concept car in more than 25 years at
the Peterson Automotive Museum (First Floor Lobby), 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at
Fairfax) on Monday, May 21 from 9am-5pm in the central lobby.  Built around
the human eye, the car employs cutting edge technology developed by Volvo and
Ford Motor Company for safer driving.
    Volvo's Senior Safety Engineer, Christer Gustafsson and Ford's Staff Tech
Specialist, David Wagner, will also be on-site throughout the day for
interviews and to give members of the media a "hands-on" opportunity to report
from behind the wheel of this extraordinary vehicle that is certain to set new
safety standards worldwide.

    Visuals include:

    -- An eye sensor that identifies the location of the driver's eyes and
       adjusts the seat for optimal vision.  After this, the steering wheel,
       floor pedals and center console are adjusted to the seat, promoting the
       best possible ergonomics and comfort.
    -- Use of steel box construction and Plexiglas to enable the driver to
       "see through" the A- and B-posts.
    -- A new four-point seat belt configuration that provides better
       protection in roll-over accidents and side-impact collisions.
    -- Sensors and cameras embedded in the door mirrors and rear bumper that
       alert the driver to approaching traffic in the "blind spot" and warn
       about potential collisions.
    -- Adaptive lights that monitor the car's road speed and steering wheel
       movements and adjust lighting to conditions; also the use of infrared
       light enhancer technology that improves nighttime vision.
    -- Internet Capabilities:  Two-way communication utilizing Bluetooth
       technology makes it possible for the Volvo Personal Communicator (VPC)
       to communicate with the car via a cell phone.  The remote control unit
       "knows" the distance to the destination, the current traffic situation,
       average speed, fuel consumption, remaining fuel quantity and can be
       programmed so that it informs the driver when it is time to resume the
       journey in order to get to the destination at a given time.

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