(Bryan Logan/Business Insider)
A dapper four-wheeler.
Cars used to be simple, "dumb" machines. You insert the key, crank it up, you drive it, you park it, and you walk away. Rinse and repeat. Its components only worked with the key in the ignition. It could only move with you in the driver's seat.
It was only "alive" when the engine was running. When it was off, it was dead. It did nothing until you returned with the key. But now, cars have crossed over.
Cars are giant computers on wheels. They're connected and intuitive. They can learn your habits. They can even compensate for your mistakes.
Volvo has placed itself at the forefront of this modern class of automobiles with its redesigned 2016 XC90 crossover SUV. It can park itself, steer itself, keep its distance between vehicles in traffic — it can even detect pedestrians, and stops you from driving into oncoming traffic.
And it comes with its own smartphone app.
Volvo put together a mix of innovations that make the XC90 one of the most connected modern automobiles on the road. Here are some of the highlights.
(Volvo Cars of North America)
A view of the 2016 Volvo XC90's dashboard featuring a tablet-sized touchpad that where most of the car's features are controlled.
Meet Senus, Volvo's virtual assistant
In our XC90 road test, we described Senus as Siri's older, more cultured sister. This interface is where you control most of the XC90's features, including climate control and navigation.
(Bryan Logan/Business Insider)
Here's the 2016 Volvo XC90's center touchscreen, where virtually all of the car's magic happens.
It's also where you can adjust the seats, headrests, vehicle dynamics, smartphone integration — all in one tablet-sized center-mounted screen. We've seen a similar interface on Tesla's vehicles.
(Volvo Cars North America)
An example model of the XC90 after a successful crash test.
City Safety: Tech that protects you, pedestrians and cyclists, too
Volvo's City Safety feature is actually a collection of features that rely on Volvo's auto-braking technology, which is designed to help prevent collisions.
Auto-braking is showing up in an increasing number of vehicles, but Volvo's interpretation of it includes a world-first that's available on the new XC90 — the car will prevent you from turning left or right into oncoming traffic, one of the most common causes of collisions worldwide.
"It addresses vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, in certain situations, day and night," says Volvo Safety Center senior technical specialist, Lotta Jakobsson, by using an array of cameras, sensors and radars built into the car.