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.