What we were being told went against every impulse in our driver’s mind. Accidents are to be avoided, we’d always been taught, but the Toyota engineer sitting in the passenger’s seat said this time we should run the front of the brand-new Lexus GS430 right into the obstacle standing in the middle of the road.

Sure, we’ve whacked lots of orange cones on autocross courses, but to intentionally hit something four-feet tall takes a lot of willpower, even if it turns out that the target is made of foam, tape and aluminum reflectors.

So we kept the car moving at the specified 35 miles per hour and winced as it smacked the cylinder, which bounded over the hood and into the adjacent lane.

But a strange thing happened just before impact: The seat belt and shoulder harnesses automatically ratcheted themselves into a tightened position. Although we weren’t aware of it at the time, the car also had set the brake assist system to its ready mode and the car’s adaptive variable suspension system went to its firmest position—just in case we attempted an evasive maneuver.

The point of this exercise, and those that ensued, was to experience the Pre-Collision System offered on the Lexus GS and LS models. Pre-Collision uses radar and an array of antennas and sensors to scan the road some 500 feet ahead, searching for possible collisions. The system also reads speed, steering angle and yaw rate and when it determines a collision is imminent, it tightens the belts, puts brake assist on alert and hunkers down the suspension. (A similar system on certain Mercedes-Benz models, called Pre-Safe, tightens seatbelts, adjusts seat backs and closes windows and the sunroof when it senses an imminent collision).

With brake assist on alert, all you have to do is to touch the brake pedal and the car stops like Wile E. Coyote after the Roadrunner has hooked him to an anvil—as we learned on our subsequent drive through the course, this time stopping with neither the car nor the obstacle suffering damage.

Such technology is impressive, and expensive. Pre-Collision is a $2,850 option on the GS300 or 430 and is part of two luxury packages—the cheapest costing $8,185 on the LS430.

One proviso: This first-generation system doesn’t always sense so-called soft objects, which include things with flesh and bone, though it can spot a cinder block from a good distance. Toyota is at work on second-generation technology that will lock on to a deer before it assumes an in-the-headlights stance.

Toyota’s alphabet soup of active safety technologies:

VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management), sort of an electronic stability program-plus thanks to the way it boosts the variable gear ratio steering to help you maneuver like a more skilled driver than you are.

KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), which increases wheel articulation off-road and cornering dynamics on-road in the GX 470.

HAC and DAC (Hill-Start Assist Control and Downhill Assist Control), or “hack” and “dack” in Toyota-speak. What sets Toyota’s system apart is that DAC works when you’re backing your truck or sport/utility vehicle down a hill.

DLCC (Dynamic Laser Cruise Control), which keeps your car a safe distance behind the traffic ahead and even warns you when the car you’re trailing suddenly slows.

VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), Toyota’s version of yaw-control technology is available or standard on many Toyota, Lexus and even Scion vehicles and is standard on all SUVs.

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102503

 

How does an automaker market a safety feature that a customer cannot see or feel in action?

Toyota Motor Corp. says its new Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, or VDIM, system takes skid control and traction control to new levels. Most stability systems intercede when they detect wheel spin. But Toyota says VDIM anticipates loss of control before it occurs.

The biggest marketing hurdle Toyota faces is that VDIM cannot be deactivated with a switch, unlike many other traction control systems.

Dealership employees cannot demonstrate the syst***s effectiveness by driving with it turned on and off. And they cannot show potential buyers dramatic film footage similar to that of airbags deploying.

"It's hard to understand VDIM until you can feel, touch and experience it," said Chuck Gulash, vice president of vehicle evaluation and engineering for Toyota Technical Center U.S.A. Inc. "It's going to be even harder than when antilock brakes debuted."

Gulash made his comments during a press event at Toyota's desert testing center here. Modified Toyota and Lexus vehicles had their safety systems deactivated for a VDIM presentation.

Such demonstrator vehicles would cost too much for a dealership to maintain. That leaves salespeople to describe what is happening underneath the occupants. Since much of the VDIM system relies on software, that's a tough task.

Educating customers about VDIM will take a long time, Gulash conceded.

VDIM is standard on the Lexus GS 430 sedan and the Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUVs. Executives say the system will spread through the Lexus and Toyota lineups as vehicles are redesigned.

Lexus has used its TV commercials to show off various safety features. Descriptions and images of VDIM may have to be almost metaphorical, an executive said.

In Japan, where consumers are quicker to embrace safety marketing, Toyota has embarked on a "zero accidents vision."

The campaign seeks to reduce traffic deaths to zero, with vehicles that use adaptive cruise control and pre-collision systems. Its emphasis is on preventing accidents rather than protecting vehicle occupants from inevitable crashes.

Toyota opened the program in Japan with press conferences, technology demonstrations and driver safety initiatives. Gulash said Toyota does not plan a U.S. version of the campaign.

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102485

 

Great find dude.
I think is a marvel of engineering and shows Toyota's commitment to making things as they see it "better". Most people can't drive, period, so it will help.

I would also like to see Toyota built cars for those of us THAT CAN drive and pay attention and don't use NAV, don't talk on the cell while driving etc. How about that damn Supra? It doesn't NEED VDIM and if it has it, it will be conflict of interest on a sports car.


Sigh....

Preventing accidents? Is this like the "Minority Report"? Its just a matter of time before some ******** tries to sue Toyota b/c they STILL GOT IN AN ACCIDENT.

It would be A LOT CHEAPER to develop a regular 6 speed manual sedan/sports car without VDIM.....