Toyota's JDM collision-detecting radar system could come to Lexus
Two new JDM Toyota safety technologies are likely to arrive on future Lexus models in the United States. The first is a system that uses a millimeter-wave radar to detect objects in the vehicle's path. When obstructions are noted, the driver is alerted by an indicator or a sound. If the pending collision is imminent, a pre-crash system activates the brakes, removes slack from the seats belts and then deploys the airbags.
The second system involves the seats themselves. If an imminent rear-end collision is detected, the seat backs will automatically return to an upright position. In addition, seat belts will tighten and the headrests will move forward to help prevent whiplash. Both innovations are planned to arrive soon on Japan-market vehicles from Toyota Motor Corporation, so it's expected that these technologies will likely debut on upcoming Lexus models in the States.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sea Urchin 8:36AM (3/12/2009)
This technology is great. Every year about 40,000 Americans die on roads every year. If government simply made a law that said, if your blood alcohol is above 0.08 your licence would be suspended for 10 years and you will pay a fine of 5K plus some jail time----------------that would make this and other safety tech pretty much useless.
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xspeedy 9:58AM (3/12/2009)
Hopefully the seats move faster than the power ones in my car, or it won't do much good.
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
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Big Dipper 8:51AM (3/12/2009)
I think they have the first system already:
http://www.lexus.com/ALLNEWRX/index.html?s_ocid=30761#/peaceofmind/
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spookthehamster 10:17AM (3/12/2009)
Yes, Lexus (and other) car companies have had _similar_ products for a while, but this uses different tech and in more directions. The current products only cover the area straight in front of the car.
BigMcLargeHuge 8:52AM (3/12/2009)
'The first is a system that uses a millimeter-wave radar to detect objects in the vehicle's path. When obstructions are noted, the driver is alerted by an indicator or a sound'
Is this a car for the blind?
"Warning, there is a car directly in front of you"
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alex 8:55AM (3/12/2009)
"Is this a car for the blind?"
well who else would choose to buy a Lexus?
Stephen 10:13AM (3/12/2009)
Alex, that was great! Made me LOL.
superman211 11:32AM (3/12/2009)
Car: "Warning, there is a car directly in front of you"
Me: "No s$%t! Lets run into it!"
car: "air bags!"
John 8:52AM (3/12/2009)
Mercedes has a system like this already in production.
I don't know the real world benefits of these technologies. It's very expensive and the payback for all that cost seems questionable.
I think vehicle telemetry and accident avoidance is the better direction.
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abcd 2:36PM (3/12/2009)
No, Mercedes hasn't such a system.
Here's the information:
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/09/0226.html
[Quote]
(TMC) announces it has added to its Pre-crash Safety technologies a radar system that can detect probable front-side collisions, and rear seats that prepare occupants for front- and rear-end collisions. These world-first*1 technologies are to debut in a Toyota vehicle scheduled for launch in Japan in the near future.
[/Quote]
The whole point is that it can detect FRONT-SIDE collisions, radar that can detect front collisions toyota has had since 2003(in Toyota Harrier).
TigerMil 8:52AM (3/12/2009)
Agree with the urchin!
Only drop the blood alcohol to .01 as in Sweden. Get serious with drunkards and druggers on the road.
However, the more draconion the measures, the more likely the lawyers are going to profit.
Besides, all these radar gizmos are cramping my radar detector(s).
That's what the jammer(s) are for....
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Dustin 9:30AM (3/12/2009)
So it's planned to soon arrive in Japan and then expected to make it to the States. Ok. Meanwhile Acura's had this in the U.S. since 2006.
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Enok 9:36AM (3/12/2009)
So in a "just miss" situation (say a deer crosses in front of the car) the airbag will deploy?
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JAL 9:37AM (3/12/2009)
GM already has a crash avoidance system installed that I find to work quite well. My Z06 and Trailblazer both have it and I am a huge fan of it. How it works is if you are in an emergency braking situation is alerts you if someone has not seen you braking and is approaching you to the rear or if there is a reason to use caution ahead to the rear and even the sides of the vehicle you can prepare for evasive maneuvers. The name of the system is MIRRORS, WINDSHIELD, REAR VIEW MIRROR, and SIDE MIRRORS!!!!! How much DUMBER can they make a car!
Am I the only person on the road who is NOT making the choice to be talking on a phone, texting...or god knows what when I drive. When I’m driving that’s all I’m doing is driving, hell most of the time I don’t even listen to the radio. My complete focus is on the road, the cars all around me, escape routes, what everyone around me driving like ect. When I need to break suddenly my focus splits between what’s in front of me and who’s behind be.... I digress though. Maybe if people would forego the cost of the "dumb driver" systems and invest in a well instructed driving course we'd ALL be safer on the roads and the stats seaurchin quoted would go down.
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Luis 9:47AM (3/12/2009)
That's you, and that's great. Unfortunately 99% of the rest of drivers on the road are distracted. If this system prevents them from hitting you in the behind you'll be happy they have it.
JAL 9:55AM (3/12/2009)
"That's you, and that's great. Unfortunately 99% of the rest of drivers on the road are distracted. If this system prevents them from hitting you in the behind you'll be happy they have it."
If you are "distracted then TURN OFF the distraction!!! Do you think theres a reason that racing professionals are not texting and tuning in music while they drive?
Luis 10:17AM (3/12/2009)
You can wish them to turn it off, but it doesn't mean they will! I'm with you, man. People shouldn't be distracted. But the reality of it is that they are and will continue to be and you can't change it by saying 'don't do that'.
Mazda FTW! 10:11AM (3/12/2009)
I agree with what JAL is saying. I refuse to txt, chat on the phone when I drive.
However, having systems like this might be necessary because, like Luis said, most people dont understand simple logic and situation awareness. The car-makers havn't helped by putting 10 cup-holders, blue-tooth and various media devices in cars either (but they are simply responding to market needs).
I prefer to drive a car which has razor sharp handling, braking and steering so I can avoid the accident instead of having a dozen scanner and radars telling me what's going on.
The driving education system in Canada (and from what I've heard, in America) needs to be more comprehensive like they have in Germany, etc. 50 of our training was how to parallel park and barely any of use live downtown (and when we go downtown, we park at parking lots). Zero training on how to drive in the snow (which we do half the year).
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chepp 5:10PM (3/12/2009)
Who is liable if the car coming from the left stops and/or swerves to miss you but YOUR car changes lanes and sideswipes a car in the lane to your right?
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chepp 5:13PM (3/12/2009)
Sorry, disregard my comment above. I misinterpreted the drawing.