Toyota reveals tech for future vehicle safety systems

Toyota reveals tech for future vehicle safety systems

Some news on the passive safety development front, from Toyota. The Japanese automaker has announced a quartet of future vehicle safety systems, currently under development, which it is looking at introducing into its vehicles. Aimed at protecting older drivers and pedestrians, their development is in response to Japanese road accident statistics that show that more than half of road traffic deaths are of people aged 65 and over, and that pedestrians now account for more fatalities than vehicle occupants.

The first of these is an extension of the Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system, now with collision-avoidance assist. Currently, the system can predict when a collision is imminent and instigate measures to reduce damage and the risk of injury. The latest development of the technology is designed to help avoid a collision happening altogether. Using the same millimetre-wave radar and miniature camera to monitor the road ahead, it works to help avoid a collision if the driver fails to apply the brakes, and is being further developed to help the driver steer a safe course in an emergency.

Second on the list is what the company calls emergency response technology, which incorporates a new system that can monitor cardio-vascular functions through the driver’s grip on the steering wheel and detect risks. Similar in essence to that being pursued by BMW in its Emergency Stop Assistant under its ConnectedDrive programme as well as Ford’s heart rate monitoring seat, Toyota is planning further research with a view to bringing a system to market.

Toyota reveals tech for future vehicle safety systems

Next is the adaptive driving beam. The company introduced an automatic high beam function on some of its cars two years ago, which switches the headlights to low beam when a camera detects the tail lights of vehicles ahead or the headlights of oncoming traffic, then restores high beam as soon as the road is clear.

It has now improved this technology with an Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB). This partially shields the high beam light so that it doesn’t shine directly in the face of drivers in vehicles ahead. This means it can prevent glare while maintaining best possible forward illumination of the road, reducing the risk of accidents.

Then there’s the pop-up bonnet, which can reduce the risk of head injury in a pedestrian-related frontal collisions. It automatically raises the rear of the bonnet to increase the space between it and the engine, which means it can be effective even on vehicles where the bonnet is set low, with limited clearance underneath.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • rapidshifter on Aug 04, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    when will these techs put into Malaysian cars?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Alson on Aug 04, 2011 at 5:11 pm

      It will come when you get a better road. Haha! If not, sensor detect pot hole, it also stops and brake. Veli dangerous for the traffic you know!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • yippi33 on Aug 04, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    i suggest that toyota develop a technology that will automatically sped up a car when driving on the fast lane to avoid accidents. to many slow drivers driving too slow on the fast lanes which can cause accidents as well..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Wisdom on Aug 04, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    The sensor on steering wheel is not that effective since some of the drivers lay their hands at different location while driving.

    Ford approach using seat sensor seems more logical.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • alldisc on Aug 05, 2011 at 9:12 am

      that sensor is located at the strategic hand placement on the steering wheel, which is supposedly at 2 o’clock & 10 o’clock.
      one should never drive while holding the steering wheel at 6 o’clock or any other position that will make him/her a driver with busy hands (even crossing hands when turning at junctions.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Wisdom on Aug 08, 2011 at 1:50 pm

        As a normal human being, everybody used to drive at all o’clock position, be it with both hands or single handed.

        A good system should considered all parameters, including fool proof.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • steventan on Aug 04, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Good to see the Japanese making safety
    their top priority with the latest technology available
    and further enhancing it.!!
    At the end of the day, driver’s attitude play a major role.
    What is the point of high beam tech for when motorist here
    install HID w/o giving a hood to others safety. !!
    :(

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Eric Ng on Aug 04, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    Haih…wait long long till we can get it in Malaysia, unless there is a change of Government.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • gdsob on Aug 04, 2011 at 3:39 pm

      Idiots like you ruin an otherwise interesting blog to talk about automotive technologies and updates with your ‘politicise everything’ attitude.

      Why don’t you stick to the topic or just bugger off.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • iamisiamwhatiam on Aug 04, 2011 at 3:47 pm

      Even if Toyota implement these technologies, it will get installed in their luxury models first. After that, effectiveness and lots of other factor decides whether these things tricles into common models.
      Look at Perodua, DVVT takes about 15-20 years before it got implemented in Myvis, VIvas and Kembaras.

      Even if there’s change of government, is there any benefit for them to enforce such fringe unproven technology?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Well done Toyota.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • CHONG KAT on Aug 04, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    pedal stuck?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • van hohenheim on Aug 04, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    that lame news la bro

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Faris on Aug 04, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    I think Toyota are much better compared to Honda.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Jimmy on Aug 04, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    Haha, has Toyota ever been renowned for its safety?
    BTW if I were the one with power to decide, I will purposely let those contractors leave potholes in our roads, to let your cars rosak faster and you will pump money into my pocket via car tax.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Did anyone here recognise what the steering look like??

    Answer: Sid from ICE AGE

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Toyota develops ‘Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system’, ’emergency response technology’ and ‘adaptive driving beam’?

    How about developing a accelerator pedal that does not stuck?

    BTW: Currently Toyota recalls 100.000 Prius because of steering problems (the screws of the steering can become losen).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • megat ismail on Aug 05, 2011 at 1:09 am

      Well at least they are accountable and made a recall
      unlike your Proton who prefers to blame their vendors instead.
      And we are still waiting for con man DSZ who promised a lifetime warranty
      for P1’s power window.!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • The topic is ‘Toyota reveals tech for future vehicle safety systems” and not ‘my Proton’s power window’.

        BTW: If the steering doesn’t work and the accelerator pedal is stuck you might get killed. If the power window doesn’t work, you’re not able to open/close the window.

        You got the difference? ;)

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • PakAbu on Aug 05, 2011 at 11:29 am

        Megat,

        Puasa….

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Carl Wong on Aug 05, 2011 at 1:25 am

    I think when pedestrians get hit it’s not always only the driver’s fault, but could be both or the pedestrians’. But that’s not the point. I think in our country the people or the pedestrians (+drivers) in general need to change their ignorant, selfish, suicidal attitude and learn to value their own life more because no one else will.

    I think as of today a lot of educated adults still don’t even know how to cross the roads safely and where to cross (Zebra crossing + bridges) . I’m guessing at least millions. Some cross the roads just below the ‘pedestrian crossing bridge’, some even cross in the middle of highways. Some which I consider to be the worst ones cross with their backside/a** facing the oncoming traffic while doing something else (i.e talking on mobile phones). They’ll just assume the cars won’t hit them. Some cross very very near to the high speed cars (near misses), almost getting hit. I had to perform a half lane change to avoid them sometimes (while showing signals to and back of course)…………………….

    Last but not least I actually give way to pedestrians if they cross on the ZEBRA CROSSINGs.

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    • alldisc on Aug 05, 2011 at 9:07 am

      malaysians mentality – never give way to pedestrians at zebra crossing. so those people will have to wait until there is no car – even if it takes half an hour or so.

      the standard law is – motorists must stop and allow pedestrians to cross at zebra crossings.

      CarlWong, u got 1 ‘like’ from me.

      Anthony,

      Why is it when good news come, there are no one bashing toyota?? apparently, this shows the typical mindset of low mentalities we have among us. zero suggestions for improvement, enjoy bashings!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Carl Wong on Aug 05, 2011 at 5:52 pm

        Thanks man, as a good example many drivers do give way at zebra crossings, just outside of Ikea, Ikano Power Centre under the sky bridge :]. For some people the awareness/attitude/knowledge of safety is just horrible.

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