Volvo is developing sensors that will detect roadside kangaroos in hopes that some of the 20 thousand kangaroo collisions that occur in Australia every year can be avoided.

Volvo is developing sensors that will detect roadside kangaroos in hopes that some of the 20 thousand kangaroo collisions that occur in Australia every year can be avoided.

Not only are the animals huge enough to destroy a car, hitting one can be deadly. A few years ago a study established that in some areas the marsupials are responsible for up to 60 percent of animal related collision fatalities.

In the presence of a kangaroo Volvo’s new detection system will slam on the car’s brakes if the driver hasn’t already.

The technology was originally invented to prevent drivers from hitting pedestrians, but avoiding large mammals is next in the research and development line.

Kangaroos are considered to be a particular challenge as they’re not as predictable as other big animals such as cows. They also have the unique ability to leap into traffic rather than just slowly wandering in front of it.

According to a Volvo safety engineer, before the kangaroo problem is tackled the company will first develop the animal detection technology for large animals such moose, horses, and cows.