In 2015, David Pickett, Volvo Australia’s technical lead, was a part of the team that tried to develop the world’s first kangaroo detection and avoidance system.

Volvo’s team spent the next two years searching for a way to make Volvo’s cars detect and avoid/brake for kangaroos. After 2 years, they admitted defeat in 2017.

Volvo’s camera and radar system were no match for the marsupials. Wallabies proved to be equally challenging.

They had numerous unsolved issues. The kangaroo look entirely different in full flight than when resting. They’re very fast and jump in unpredictable ways, maneuvering mid-air to confuse and outrun predators.

Articles:

• https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/04/hazard-identification-software-cant-make-sense-of-kangaroos/