VOLVO has revealed more about the advanced technology on its new S90 saloon as it moves closer to producing cars which can drive themselves.

The Swedish car maker is to fit a semi-autonomous system as standard to the S90 which was unveiled for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The S90, due for release later this year, will come with what Volvo is calling IntelliSafe Assist which includes adaptive cruise control, distance sensors and equipment which enables it steer automatically at speeds up to 80 mph.

The Pilot Assist function keeps the car aligned with the lane markings on motorways allowing the S90 to travel without having to follow another vehicle.

"The S90 has taken a big stride forwards in terms of driving dynamics, performance and ride," said Dr Peter Mertens, senior vice president for research and development at Volvo.

The company, which is about to start producing vehicles in the United States at a new factory in Charleston, South Carolina, is already conducting trials with fully autonomous vehicles in its home city of Gothenburg in Sweden.

The S90 is also the first car to be fitted with an advanced detection system which can spot large animals in the road day or night and reduce the risk of an impact.