Toyota makes vehicles communicate with surroundings to prevent collisions

We've already seen Intelligent Transport Systems discussed ad nauseum when referring to Nissan, but now Toyota is taking the time to demonstrate its latest advancements in vehicle-infrastructure cooperative systems. Put simply, the aforementioned ITS technologies are being tapped to "enable communication between cars and elements of their surroundings in an effort to reduce collisions." Complementing the massive simulator also on display, the automaker was demonstrating its strides in implementing road-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian-to-vehicle communications, which can warn drivers via audio / visual cues and even slow the vehicle's speed in order to prevent an accident. Sadly, Toyota failed to mention when we'd see these newfangled safety features integrated into civilian rides, but we can't wait to wave such niceties in the face of our insurance companies as we campaign for lower rates.

[Via FarEastGizmos]

[paul34 @ Nov 27th 2007 12:26AM]

Maybe its just me; but shouldn't these automakers also be working behind the scenes on a common standard, to make sure their systems can communicate effectively with each other?

[Charlie Calhoun @ Nov 27th 2007 1:44AM]

No, when it's all said and done, Toyota will just try to market it's device to every auto-manufacturer in the world, fail, then all the big companies will create their own device, then the IEEE or other will step in, make a standard, and all these companies will have lost alot of money on a redesign of their devices.

[turn_self_off @ Nov 27th 2007 3:45AM]

sorry, but what your talking about is anti-capitalistic, your not a communist are you? ;)

[rishid @ Nov 27th 2007 2:12PM]

Funny you mentioned that, I just finished writing a paper about the lack of standards in the vehicle-to-vehicle network area.

[Wwhat @ Nov 27th 2007 7:26PM]

Even more funny how (mostly) americans actually think communist is an insult, and worse yet, capitalist isn't :o

[Arthur Nonamiss @ Nov 27th 2007 12:46AM]

Interesting idea. If taken further, and if mandated, you could even use such a system to eliminate the need to traffic lights altogether. The computers could communicate and slow down/speed up the cars so that they don't collide, but go through the intersections at very near full speed. If maintained properly, you could make VERY efficient intersections that could move many times more vehicles through in a given time. Realistically, though, I'm not talking about something that could be in place in the near future. It would be decades before that kind of technology could be perfected and implemented. Still, though, it's more realistic and practical than flying cars.

[Arthur Nonamiss @ Nov 27th 2007 12:48AM]

BTW, I'm officially copyrighting this idea. If Toyota (or any other car company) implements it, I'm digging up this post and demanding royalties!

[paul34 @ Nov 27th 2007 12:57AM]

Well we could eliminate intersections already, using the concept of roundabouts.

However, drivers in this country are too stupid to understand roundabouts. Combining your idea with the concept of a roundabout (very popular in Europe, BTW!), we could create intersections where the need to slow down is significantly reduced.

In addition, with the American driver out of the equation, accidents should go to near zero.

However, I will be a sad man since I will lose the joy of driving and rowing my own gears =(

[Denver_80203 @ Nov 27th 2007 12:57AM]

"eliminate the need to traffic lights altogether"

Yeah that'll be just great for those of us who are satisfied RIDING A BIKE.

Traffic lights are inefficient as hell but, even with improvements you will always need them for the people to don't opt for the chip implant.

[vinz @ Nov 27th 2007 1:05AM]

Well that was the general idea of traffic circles. I don't think they are very efficient they are at peak traffic volumes, but they can be very efficient at lower traffic volumes. Unfortunately, it only takes one novice to bring the traffic flow to a screeching, grinding halt of twisted metal. Same with any automated traffic management system, there would be too many non-compliant cars on the road for a very long time. Nice idea, but I'd suggest waiting to file your patent since it'll expire long before it could be implimentd.

[KC @ Nov 27th 2007 2:56AM]

How would you take into account for the pedestrians who need to cross at the intersection?

[Arthur Nonamiss @ Nov 27th 2007 10:34AM]

Easy. Just put a button on the intersection. Just like they already have. Instead of making the lights turn, it can send a signal to the on-board computer and bring the intersection to a temporary halt. In many intersections pedestrians aren't really a factor. Either that, or pedestrians could carry a jet-pack and fly over the intersection...

[vinz @ Nov 27th 2007 1:18AM]

A tip of the hat to sir Paul34 and Denver_80203.

ahh, I wonder how much liability the car makers would incur with these kinds of active control systems. Passive controls, like ABS or traction control have generally been a big help, but they are fairly limited to correcting driver input that goes beyond the capabilities of the car. But when you start talking about slowing down or speeding up a vehicle to avoid an accident, I start thinking of the multi-million dollar lawsuits that will be launched when there is one. Maybe it's just me, but I can wait for these technologies to become mainstream.

[Tangston @ Nov 27th 2007 10:34AM]

Oh there will be lawsuits. There's always lawsuits, but that doesn't mean that the tech won't make it. Take airbags for example. The first generation of airbags killed alot of people because the technology wasn't refined yet, and there were plenty of lawsuits to boot. Regardless, the airbag is the single most important life-saving device that's been implemented into vehicle technology to date. Can you think of a single car that doesn't have airbags now, despite all the deaths and lawsuits that followed the birth of the airbag?

Having systems like this would theoretically save far more lives than the airbag (or traction control, which I think is being a required component of all U.S. cars in 2009 or something). It'll take time, lots of refinement, and I'm sure quite a few lawsuits, but I think that systems like this will be the future of automobiles. It could reduce automobile accidents and deaths by an exponential amount. I hope it comes sooner rather than later personally.

[Ronald @ Nov 27th 2007 1:52AM]

I think law enforcement vehicles are already equipped with similar technology. Where i live when on coming ambulance or police cars are approaching an intersection with their sirens on, all traffic lights turn red, and on top of the traffic lights there is a blue flashing light to let drivers know that an oncoming law enforcement vehicle is heading that way with their sirens on.

[Reinhold Messner @ Nov 27th 2007 2:49AM]

What you're talking about is an opticom, which sometimes operates on
RF, but usually is visible light (a strobe). The siren doesn't have
anything to do with it.

[jamalekai @ Nov 27th 2007 2:21AM]

This is only cool if you can turn it off. However well-intentioned "the man" may be, there will be a time for all of us that this system somehow screws us.

[Andrew @ Nov 27th 2007 5:48AM]

If you do have an accident does it start shouting and blaming others?

[matt @ Nov 27th 2007 5:54AM]

GM has been demoing a similar system for some time now -

http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/05/more-on-general-motors-v2vs-technology/

[ToniCipriani @ Nov 27th 2007 7:36AM]

Boohoo... GM had this a while ago.

http://www.autoblog.com/2005/10/27/gm-demos-cars-that-see/

Toyota's really falling apart these days.

[blarvh @ Nov 27th 2007 11:26AM]

So in 20 years or so if I don't have a communication device on me when walking the streets I will be run over by idiots who rely 100% on the car to warn them of people in the traffic..

and if they DO stop they will be shouting at me for being careless...

"in the good ol' days people would pay attention to the traffic"

[mikeh @ Nov 27th 2007 11:37AM]

How would security on this product work? What if someone placed a transmitter in the middle of the freeway? Would cause everyone to slow down? Could you slow everyone down that drives by your house just by broadcasting a false signal?