Toyota’s Intelligent Clearance Sonar reduces pedal misapplication and vehicle reversing accidents

Toyota’s Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) has been around since 2015, and serves to prevent or mitigate collisions when parking or setting off. To prove its effectiveness since being introduced, the big T has released the results of a survey involving three models – the Alphard, Vellfire and Prius that are equipped with the system.

Conducted during an 18-month period from January 2015 to June 2016, the survey included 63,000 vehicles, with 26,000 of them being equipped with ICS. From the total, approximately 2,500 vehicles were involved in accidents where the driver reported pedal misapplication as the cause.

Based on the survey results, Toyota says the ICS system reduced pedal misapplication-related accidents by 70%, and accidents caused while reversing (usually in parking lot situations) were reduced by 40%.

The system uses sensors to detect possible obstacles and helps drivers to avoid accidents should they mistaken the brake pedal for the accelerator. Should it detect an impending accident, the brakes are automatically applied.

This is particular useful during low-speed manoeuvres (like in parking lots), where approximately 30% of accidents occur in Japan, according to Toyota. Toyota’s Intelligent Parking Assist system also utilise the ICS system to help prevent or mitigate collisions via automated braking.

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