Are We Really Ready for a Self Driving Lexus?

First Autonomous Capability

Lexus plans to roll out its first autonomous driving capability this year. Buyers will be able to take their hands off the road, but not eyes. This is, at least, not until later in the year when Lexus will release an update that will allow buyers to take their eyes off the road for a short while. 

Photo Courtesy of Automotive News Europe. 

Level 2

The first hint of a Lexus with autonomous capability was revealed in 2017 when Lexus unveiled a new LS concept. The indication was that the car would start with Level 2 autonomy before upgrading to higher levels. Lexus plans to add over-the-air updates that will facilitate future upgrades. It's yet to be known if buyers will need to pay extra to enjoy autonomous features. 

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>>Join the conversation about sharing the road with true self-driving cars right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Regulation

In an interview with Automotive News, Lexus President Koji Sato said that the level of autonomy rolled out will depend on laws and social concerns. These affect what is allowed in the market for sale. In Europe, car manufacturers are getting frustrated at how long it's taking legislators to approve advanced autonomous driving. 

Photo Courtesy of Driving.ca. 

>>Join the conversation about sharing the road with true self-driving cars right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Leading Brands

Other brands that are about to launch level 3 autonomous driving include Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Audi already launched its A8 flagship sedan in 2018 with conditional level 3 autonomy. However, its Traffic Jam Pilot system is yet to be released into the market due to legislation. 

Photo Courtesy of CNET. 

>>Join the conversation about sharing the road with true self-driving cars right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Highway Teammate

The Lexus model that will feature autonomous driving is yet to be confirmed. Nevertheless, it will come with a system called Highway Teammate. It's developed by Denso and uses cameras and lidar to guide the car on the highway. It will allow the vehicle to follow and switch lanes as well as pass other cars on the highway. 

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>>Join the conversation about sharing the road with true self-driving cars right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Level 3 Delays

Apart from Mercedes, Audi, and BMW; most global brands are holding back from releasing Level 3 autonomy. This is given the need for drivers to shift their attention to the road ahead at a moment's notice. According to Denso engineer Hajime KUmabe, Level 3 poses a bit of a compromise and most automakers feel the same. 

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>>Join the conversation about sharing the road with true self-driving cars right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Safe and Confident Drives

Lexus plans to roll out its autonomous technology to all its models once everything is settled. According to Kumabe, all cars need to offer confident and safe driving in order for the update to happen. The goal is to also share the technology with other vehicles, in addition to Lexus as a way to share the wealth. 

Photo Courtesy of Lexus

>>Join the conversation about sharing the road with true self-driving cars right here in the ClubLexus forum.

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