Volvo's reflective paint sells out: Spray-on 'light' is a hit with cyclists
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Volvo teamed up with a Swedish start-up to make a light reflective spray for cyclists, called Life Paint
Volvo is known for making cars packed with safety features but it's a low-tech safety solution for cyclists that has proved a surprising success.
The car manufacturer teamed up with a Sweden-based start-up to make a temporary light reflective spray for cyclists, called Life Paint.
The paint has proved so popular that the trial cans up for grabs at certain cycling shops in London were snapped up in days.
And some of these are now on sale on eBay for £45 ($66) at the time of writing.
Volvo launched the paint to increase the visibility of cyclists on the road.
It contains powder-fine reflective particles designed to react to a car's headlights, alerting drivers to the presence of cyclists in the dark.
The paint is invisible in daylight, but in the dark it reflects light in the same direction as the light source to illuminate the objects it has been sprayed on.
Dispensed in a spray can, the paint can be washed off, so it can also be applied to clothes, helmets, pushchairs, dog leads and obviously, bikes.
A trial began in London bike shops on 2 April to gauge public interest and 2,000 cans were given away free as word of the popular product spread.
At the time, Volvo said that if the paint proved a hit, the project 'will expand nationally and internationally'.
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A spokesman told MailOnline that the company is 'extremely pleased with the response' and experts at Volvo's headquarters in Stockholm are discussing whether the product could be sold, and is comparable with Volvo's auto offering.
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The paint contains powder-fine reflective particles designed to react to a car's headlights, alerting drivers to the presence of cyclists in the dark. It washes off but can last for days on bike frames (pictured)
However, there are no immediate plans to sell the paint.
Consequently, information about how much it may retail for has not been revealed, but there is still a chance cyclists might be able to buy Life Paint in the future in cycling shops or even at Volvo garages.
The lack of concrete plans has led cyclists eager to try the paint to attempt to get hold of some on eBay, where cans are on currently on sale for £45 ($66).
But in fact, savvy shoppers can try a similar spray for less than £18.
Life Paint is made by a Swedish start-up called Albedo 100.
It currently sells four different types of spray: a light-reflective spray for metal, wood and plastic, an invisible reflective spray for textiles, a pale grey version of the same kind, and even a light-reflective spray for pets on its website.
All of them are temporary and can be washed off.
The paint has proved so popular that the trial cans up for grabs at certain cycling shops in London were snapped up in days, some of which are now on sale on eBay (pictured) for £45 ($66) at the time of writing
Dispensed in a spray can, the paint can be washed off meaning it can be applied to clothes, helmets, pushchairs, dog leads and obviously, bikes (pictured)
The Life Paint project forms part of Volvo's aim to improve safety for drivers and those outside of its cars.
The company's XC90 model, which goes on sale in the UK in June, will feature a system called Intellisafe.
It uses a combination of radar sensors and cameras to identify other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
The Life Paint project forms part of Volvo's aim to improve safety on the roads. The company's XC90 model (pictured), which goes on sale in the UK in June, will feature a system called Intellisafe that uses a combination of radar sensors and cameras to identify other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists
Life Paint (pictured on a bike's chain and spokes) is made by a Swedish start-up called Albedo 100. The firm currently sells four different types of spray on its website
It automatically brakes if the driver fails to take the necessary action, while Active Bending Headlights search around corners to provide drivers with better visibility to spot vulnerable cyclists at night.
Volvo said that Intellisafe provided the inspiration for LifePaint.
'Every year more than 19,000 cyclists are injured on the UK's roads,' said Nick Connor, managing director at Volvo Car UK.
'At Volvo, we believe that the best way to survive a crash is not to crash at all, and are committed to making the roads a safer place by reducing the number of accidents.
'Volvo is a world-leader in safety technology, and we are proud to be extending our reach beyond just those driving our cars.
'By making cyclists increasingly visible as well as increasing the safety capabilities of our cars, we are doing our utmost to protect everyone on the road.'
Life Paint is made by a Swedish start-up called Albedo 100, which sells four different types of spray: a light-reflective spray for metal, wood and plastic, an invisible reflective spray for textiles, a pale grey version of the same kind, and even a light-reflective spray for pets (shown in the video above)
NISSAN HAS CREATED A GLOW-IN-THE-DARK LEAF
Nissan has trialled technology that means cars could glow-in-the-dark on the roads to become more visible.
The Japanese car manufacturer has become the first to apply UV absorbing paint on a production car.
The 'ultraviolet-energised paint' on the Nissan Leaf electric car is a demonstration of a secret paint formula made up of organic materials.
Nissan has become the first car to manufacturer to apply UV absorbing paint on a production car. The 'ultraviolet-energised paint' on the Nissan Leaf electric car is a demonstration of a secret paint formula made up of organic materials. Use the slider, above to see the car glow after dark
Known as Starpath, the paint is applied by spraying and absorbs UV energy from the sun throughout the day.
It is able to glow for between eight and 10 hours when the sun goes down.
The paint is the brainchild of Surrey-based inventor Hamish Scott, who is already trialling glow-in-the-dark cycle paths in Cambridge.
It's made from very rare earth materials, including Strontium Aluminate, which is solid, odourless and chemically and biologically inert.
However, the paint option won't be a choice for future customers because the ingredients mean it is unlikely to be used on a large scale.
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