Toyota Motor is set to introduce a newly-developed set of active safety technologies designed to help prevent or mitigate collisions across a range of vehicle speeds from 2015.
Offered in the form of two 'Toyota Safety Sense' packages, namely a 'C' package for compact cars and a 'P' package for mid-sized and high-end cars, the packages would be rolled out across most passenger models and grades in Japan, North America and Europe by the end of 2017.
The Toyota Safety Sense C package combines the several of the company's existing active safety technologies, including the pre-collision system that helps to prevent and mitigate collisions, and lane departure alert, which prevent vehicles from departing from their lanes.
An automatic high beam helps ensure optimal forward visibility during night-time driving by using camera to detect the headlights of oncoming vehicles and the tail lights of vehicles ahead.
On the other hand, Toyota Safety Sense P package features a pre-collision system (PCS) with pedestrian detection function that uses millimeter-wave radar and a camera to detect pedestrians and vehicles.
The PCS helps to prevent or mitigate collisions by activating an audio and visual alert in addition to brake assist, followed by automated braking, if the driver fails to apply brake in time.
The P package also integrates Radar Cruise Control that uses millimeter-wave radar to detect preceding vehicles and determine their speed on highways, maintaining smooth acceleration and deceleration during drive.
Both packages are scheduled to be made available at price levels chosen to encourage widespread use.
Image: Toyota Safety Sense P package includes pre-collision System with pedestrian detection function. Photo: courtesy of TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION.
