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Toyota develops new pre-collision system with steering assist

A number of automakers are working on developing fully autonomous cars, but it looks like the groundwork for such technologies will likely show up first as semi-autonomous systems for both safety and convenience. Following recent announcements from Nissan and Ford in this area, Toyota has now released information for some of its advanced semi-autonomous technologies that could be offered in production cars over the next few years.
On the safety front, Toyota's new pre-collision system with pedestrian-avoidance steering assist is aimed at protecting the folks who aren't in the car. This system combines visual and audible alerts with automatic brake assist and automatic steering. If warnings don't get the driver to slow down, the brake assist kicks in if a collision is very likely, but if that is still not able to avoid the impending collision (and if there is enough room to do so), the car can automatically steer itself around the pedestrian. This sounds most beneficial for last-second dangers such as a person accidently stepping out into the road in front of a car. Toyota hopes to have this technology available to customers by 2015.
The Japanese automaker is also testing a suite of technologies called Automated Highway Driving Assist (AHDA). The key part of this is a new adaptive cruise control system that uses vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications rather than a radar-based system. This cooperative-adaptive cruise control allows vehicles to communicate their acceleration and deceleration data with other cars, which Toyota says this helps to improve fuel efficiency and traffic flow. Also a part of AHDA is the Lane Trace Control feature, which sounds like a next-gen lane keep assist. This system uses cameras, radar and a computer to keep the vehicle in a "smooth driving line" by being able to change steering angle, engine torque and braking force. Toyota says this technology could be in place by the "mid-2010s."

Florida police officer injured by DUI suspect after traffic stop

What started as a fairly normal traffic stop for Sergeant Kerstan Tatro ended with him lying on the ground with a compound fracture in his arm. The policeman in Gulf Breeze, FL, pulled over a woman driving a Lexus SC 430 because her erratic driving suggested that she might be under the influence. It all went well until Tatro asked the driver to perform a field sobriety test and she sped away partially trapping the officer in the car. It was all captured by the cruiser's dashcam. As the woman started to drive away, Tatro tried to grab for the keys. He was too late, though, and she got on the gas. The Lexus ran over the officer's foot and caused the serious injury to his arm. Thankfully, bystanders were at the policeman's side within a few seconds of him being hurt. By coincidence, even Tatro's daughter was driving by the time, and was pretty shaken by her dad's condition. According to the Pensacola News Journal, a witness to the officer's injuries followed the woman to a hotel parking lot and told police where she was. They allegedly found drugs in her possession. Below is a video from the Pensacola News Journal interviewing Tatro, and he gives a thorough account of exactly what happened. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Pensacola News Journal, Ineedhelp2811 via YouTube Lexus Convertible Police/Emergency Videos police officer

Toyota recalling 20k 2014 and 2015 cars and CUVs with 3.5L engines

Toyota has announced a recall of roughly 20,000 vehicles covering the 2014 Avalon, Camry, Highlander (pictured) and Sienna, as well as the 2015 Lexus RX luxury crossover. The affected vehicles are all powered the 2GR-FE engine, which in layman's terms, is Toyota's well-regarded 3.5-liter V6.
According to Toyota's statement, a parts supplier might not have welded "the end cap on the right-hand fuel delivery pipe in the engine compartment" correctly, meaning fuel could leak. Leaking fuel, of course, increases the chance of an engine fire. That said, no fires, crashes or injuries have been reported due to the issue.
Owners will be notified to report to dealers, where techs will check the fuel delivery pipe and fit a replacement part as necessary.