The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) showcased its
second-generation autonomous research vehicle at the company's Prius Challenge
event in California. Based on the Lexus LS 600hL, the test
vehicle features the first ever testing platform developed entirely by TRI,
focusing heavily on machine vision and learning.
The LIDAR, radar and camera sensor
array are said to reduce the need to depend heavily on high-definition maps,
thus helping the test platform remain upgradable.
TRI is currently working on
two different research paths, the so-called Chauffeur and Guardian paths, where
the former refers to the always-on fully autonomous system, and the latter is a
high-level driver assist system that constantly monitors the environment inside
and outside the vehicle, ready to alert the driver of potential dangers and
step in when needed to assist in crash avoidance.
By the end of this year and a full five years ahead
of the NHTSA's 2022 target date, Toyota will make Automatic Emergency Braking available
as standard on nearly every model and trim level of Lexus and Toyota vehicles
in the US.
