Volvo Unveils Traffic-Jam Assistance System

Volvo Car Corp. plans to introduce a system in two years that will enable a car to automatically follow the vehicle ahead of it in traffic queues moving at 30 mph or less.

The so-called traffic jam assist system combines existing adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping technologies to automatically control slow-speed acceleration, braking and steering. The system maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead in bumper-to-bumper traffic but does not change lanes.

The system, which the driver switches on and off with a button, will become part of Volvo's "scalable product architecture," which will debut in 2014.

The carmaker plans to use the new architecture to migrate its future products away from platforms, powertrains and safety systems linked to its former owner, Ford Motor Co. Volvo was acquired by Zhejiang Geely Holdings Group in 2010.