What's this about?
Toyota has revealed some of its new in-car safety technologies with interactive communication and adaptive headlamps. Cars will communicate with each other through roadside sensors in 'vehicle-to-vehicle' and 'vehicle-to-infrastructure' systems.
How does it work?
Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure interaction takes place using a wireless frequency reserved for the purpose, known as ITS - Integrated Traffic System. At junctions with limited visibility sensors in the road can provide information about approaching traffic and pedestrians in the road. Other vehicles can signal their presence over the vehicle-to-vehicle link with audible and visual warning signs. Another use for the system is Communicating Radar Cruise Control, which sends speed and acceleration information from the car in front as well as monitoring the distance from it with radar. This is said to give better tracking performance for improved safety and fuel efficiency.
Developing the ITS compatible technology has involved working with government bodies, agencies and private companies.
What about the headlamps?
To illuminate the road without dazzling oncoming drivers Toyota has developed LED Array Adaptive High Beam. Based around multiple independently controlled LEDs in a row it can light up the gaps between vehicles and also direct the light in response to steering movement.
When will they be available?
The safety systems will be offered on the Japanese market first from next year and introduced to the USA and Europe by the end of 2017. Two packages, designated C and P, for mid-size and large cars respectively, will be offered. Both systems feature the automatic headlamps, Lane Departure Alert and Pre-Collision System; the P package adds radar cruise control and uses millimetre radar instead of laser radar.
Lexus will get its own package, Lexus Safety System+, which includes Road Sign Assist to display speed limit and other signs in the instrument display.
John Lambert - 3 Dec 2014