Vehicles like the upcoming 2024 Polestar 3 electric SUV have processing capabilities and design to support the next generation of advanced driver assistance systems that can help keep occupants safe on the road and improve the driving experience. One of these new built-in features was on display at the CES 2023 tech conference in Las Vegas this week.
Now equipped with even more powerful chipsets and software-defined platforms, the Polestar 3 breaks away from its sibling Polestar 2 hatchback sedan on more than just height and battery power. The Volvo spinoff brand’s first crossover uses Polestar’s new SPA2 architecture that it shares with Volvo, which can support a higher number of software-driven capabilities, such as a driver monitoring system, or DMS, from fellow Swedish brand Smart Eye that will be standard in the Polestar 3 when it’s released.
2024 Polestar 3 Electric SUV Concept
As seen on a prototype on the show floor, in the driver’s seat, dual cameras with 2-megapixel resolution are embedded in the instrument panel to monitor the driver’s behavior. Each time someone gets behind the wheel of the car, the DMS tracks their eyes—even behind sunglasses and in the dark.
But the power behind the safety feature is the neural network, which uses artificial intelligence to process the data and determine the driver’s state. If the system thinks that the driver is distracted, drowsy, or having a medical event, it will keep the vehicle centered in its lane and attempt to bring the driver’s attention back to the road. If it’s unsuccessful and the driver is thoroughly distracted or incapacitated, the system will bring the vehicle to a controlled stop in the lane and alert emergency services.
Although the Polestar 2 has emergency automatic stop assistance, the EV isn’t equipped with an ocular-based DMS that tracks the driver’s eyes. Rather that feature detects tactile inputs on the steering wheel, like grabbing or touching the wheel, to ensure the driver is paying attention. Polestar 3’s advanced platform will enable the system to process more data to provide higher levels of driver assistance.
For the 3, the processing power has been centralized and contained in one Nvidia so-called supercomputer. “We have more than 20 different sensors to be able to understand the world around the car and to be able to then support the driver,” Dennis Nobelius, Polestar’s chief operating officer, said at a CES interview.
Interior
In addition to cameras, the company is using radar inside the cabin. These interior radar sensors can detect heartbeats, which can be a lifesaver for parents or anyone that accidentally leaves a child or pet unattended in the vehicle. If the system determines the seats are occupied by passengers rather than just large bags or bulky cargo, it will keep the climate control active to prevent the cabin from overheating.
Polestar’s new capabilities aren’t solely about safety: The Swedish company announced gaming potential at CES 2023 that will help keep occupants entertained while parked or plugged in at a public charging station. Nobelius said the gaming potential depends on the chips the new Polestars will include. “You will be able to access Fortnite or whatever game you would like in the car through a controller using the screen in the car through a gaming cloud that Nvidia is providing,” he explained.
The options for new features feel limitless, but the company is following a roadmap that will eventually lead to self-driving cars. The company announced that the Polestar 3 will also feature Google’s high-definition maps that will enable higher accuracy when using Level 2 driver assistance features, and eventually Level 3 mixed autonomy with driver input when it adds lidar to the sensor mix.
Exterior
The exterior is elegant and somewhat familiar. There’s a hint from Volvo’s “Thor’s hammer” inspiration for the headlamps, and some hints of XC40 in the rear. The horizontal rear lights remind the look of the design of an Ikea bookshelf. The most distinctive feature can be the forward “spoiler” integrated into the hood, which Polestar claims helps improve aerodynamics.
Door handles can be retracted, and they make use of a proximity sensor to display themselves when a driver is approaching. Standard wheels measure approximately 21 inches across. Incredibly large, and quite excessive 22-inch wheels are available. The design is quite bland. It’s not likely to turn off customers, but it could not create a brand identity for the brand, which could struggle to break free from Volvo’s shadow.
Safety and Driver Assistance Systems
In keeping with its Volvo tradition The Polestar 3 comes with a wide array of safety features. Some of the best features include automated emergency braking, which includes pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assistance as well as lane departure alerts, reverse automatic emergency brake, blind spot alert as well as cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
Two cameras are utilized to monitor the attention levels of drivers. They monitor the eyes and the data remains in the vehicle instead of being transferred into the cloud. If a driver is found to be distracted, sleepy, or not responsive the vehicle will issue an audible or visual warning, audible alert, and eventually become so severe that it will stop the vehicle. Polestar 3 goes beyond common and well-liked door-minder systems by using radar technology to protect pets and children from being misplaced in the car.
In the middle of 2023, customers can purchase by mid-2023. Polestar 3 with Pilot Pack with lidar. It includes a lidar system mounted on the roof that includes three cameras as well as 4 ultrasonic sensors. Together, these components will allow for precise, 3D surveillance of the SUV’s surroundings and will allow for autonomous driving. Polestar states in CR that it will make level 4 of the three possible with automated driving which means that the vehicle is fully in control, without the driver needing to be in control. (Learn more about the different levels of automation at SAE.) As long as it is legal the vehicle will offer assistance with driving. The system will be updated as time passes by software updates.
2024 Polestar 3 Electric SUV Price & Release Date
With an abundance of amenities and luxurious features and features, a higher cost for Polestar 3 is justified. But, in contrast to its competitors, such as the Tesla Model X and the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, which begin at more than 100,000 dollars and up, the Polestar is offering only $83,900 for its most recent SUV. Sure, it’s priced higher, however, when you consider the category it is in I believe that it’s worth the price. Polestar 3 is a good bargain.
If you want higher performance, you’ll be required to shell out $6,000 more than the Polestar 3’s MSRP base. The Polestar 3 isn’t eligible for federal tax credits However, Polestar could eventually launch the long-range RWD model of its 3 to distinguish it from German competitors in terms of price and the range of its driving.
Polestar 3 is moving slowly toward production. Polestar is confirming that their brand-new automobile for the U.S. will be entering the production line in China in mid-2023. For availability Stateside, Polestar will shift the production from the 3-model to its Ridgeville Volvo plant in the middle of 2024. The availability of the 3 models as a mass-produced EV is in doubt when it is finally launched on the market since the company is taking longer than it expected to bring it into production. It will be sold as an electric SUV with all-wheel drive when it is due for launch. But, the CEO of Polestar Thomas Ingenlath stated that once the production of the 3 is launched in South Carolina, a more economical, less expensive rear-wheel-drive model will join the lineup.