Summary Volvo has announced it is releasing a cyclist detection facility which should prevent accident.
The auto firm says vehicles fitted with the system will be able to detect threats including a cyclist suddenly swerving out into a car s path.
It said that if a collision risk was detected an alarm would sound and the car s brakes would be fully deployed.
However, safety campaigners say the tech is no replacement for caution behind the wheel.
The Chinese-owned company introduced the feature at the Geneva Motor Show.
The technology is an enhanced version of Volvo s pedestrian detection system which it launched in 2010.
Like the earlier release the innovation uses a radar in the car s grille and a camera located between its windscreen and back view mirror to detect collision threats.
The code which acts as the brains for the equipment has been rewritten to add the new feature, and its added complexity has meant a more powerful processor is now needed.
As a consequence Volvo cars fitted with prior versions of the product cannot simply install a software upgrade.
The firm added that the new system also needed to be installed while cars were being built in the factory - meaning it would have to be ordered up front - and it would be limited to seven out of 11 models in the company s current line-up.
Motorists wanting the feature face an added bill of at least £1,850 to buy it as a part of a package of added features.
