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A Simple Guide To Lexus & Toyota's New Low-Cost Safety Systems

When Toyota and Lexus announced the introduction of a low-cost automated braking safety package, one question popped up in our minds: how is it different by being low cost?
Toyota Lexus Safety Guide 1 photo
Photo: Toyota
It does not offer less protection, neither show a delayed reaction to real-life traffic occurrences. In fact, the low-cost feature is given by the price tag of these systems. So for you to better understand how the new system works, we came up with this - we hope - useful guide.

Where will we see them first?

Two new models will get the Toyota/Lexus new automated safety package. We're talking about two SUVs: the RAV4 Hybrid and the fourth-gen Lexus RX.

Packaged together in an integrated system, different features help address three key areas of accident protection: preventing or mitigating rear collisions, keeping drivers in their lane, and enhancing road safety during night time driving. In a nutshell, they are intended to address commonly occurring crash types according to traffic accident statistical analyses.

Toyota Safety Sense and Lexus Safety System +

Although following the same principles, TSS (Toyota Safety Sense) and LSS+ (Lexus Safety System +) are being offered in different packages, as it follows.

1. Toyota Safety Sense

The system will be provided in the form of two packages: Toyota Safety Sense C for compact cars and TSS P for mid-sized and premium models. Therefore, let's see what each of them has to give in terms of protection.

Toyota Safety Sense C combines a camera and laser radar for enhanced performance and reliability while also offering three assistance features:

- Pre-collision System (PCS): PCS uses a camera and a laser radar to scan for objects ahead of the vehicle. When potential danger is detected, the system determines if a collision is likely to happen and alerts the driver to brake via an audio and visual notification. If the driver notices the hazard and brakes, the system provides additional braking force. If the driver fails to brake in a set time, the system automatically applies the brakes, reducing speed by approximately 19 mph (30 km/h) in order to prevent or mitigate the collision.

- Lane Departure Alert (LDA): using the same camera as the PCS, LDA detects visible white and yellow lane markings, alerting the driver with audio and visual signals if the vehicle is starting to exit its lane.

- Automatic High Beam (AHB): this one is for improving visibility during nighttime driving. Oncoming headlights and ahead taillights are detected, followed by an automatic switch between high beams and low beams.

Toyota Safety Sense P offers all the above but adds two more features:

- Pedestrian Pre-Collision System: besides a video camera, the feature uses a millimeter-wave radar to detect pedestrians in certain conditions. In case impact probability is identified, automated braking is triggered at relative speeds of between 7-50 mph (11-80 km/h), to prevent collisions with pedestrians.

- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC): this works on highways and detects preceding vehicles and their speed. When needed, it can adjust the vehicle's speed within a set range through smooth acceleration and deceleration.

2. Lexus Safety System +

Just as the Toyota Safety Sense, Lexus Safety System + brings together Pedestrian Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. In other words, the systems work like illustrated above.

However, there are a few differences. For example, LDA also alerts the driver by steering wheel vibrations. Moreover, together with Lane Keep Assist, controls power steering to make maneuvers easier for the driver.

Below, you will find a set of videos explaining how some of these systems work.

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