Toyota 2015 Annual Report Download - page 34

service. In January 2016, Toyota announced a “connected vehicle framework” to increase installation of a Data
Communication Module (DCM) into a broader range of its vehicles starting in the United States from 2017. In
April 2016, Toyota established a new company, “Toyota Connected, Inc.,” in the United States to consolidate
and analyze information collected from vehicles and to develop new products, and thereby promoting “making
ever-better cars” through utilizing big data. In addition, Toyota is collaborating with insurance companies on
developing insurance services as well as tying up with a sharing service company, thereby actively advancing
research for new services and the realization of a mobility society utilizing big data.
Enhancing Vehicle Functionality — Driving Assistance Functions
Toyota’s driving assistance functions offer functions that assist drivers with an aim to lessen the burden of
driving, enhance safety and provide to everyone the pleasure of driving. Toyota has commercialized
enhancements to various functions that assist the driver in sensing external information, avoiding danger and
making appropriate maneuvers. Examples of driving assistance functions include the following:
• VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) is a system that constantly monitors the driver’s
operations and the vehicle’s situation and centrally manages the engine, steering mechanisms and
brakes. By stabilizing the vehicle before the driver loses control of the vehicle, VDIM achieves a high
level of ‘active safety’ and improves driving performance, consisting namely of running, turning and
stopping.
• “Pre-collision System” is a system that perceives possibilities of a crash with obstacles, cars in front or
crossing pedestrians through a sensor installed in a vehicle. If a collision seems likely, it proceeds to
activate warnings as well as brake assistance, which aids the driver’s operation of the brake, or the
automatic braking system, which aids in avoiding the collision altogether or mitigates any damage.
• “Radar Cruise Control (with all-speed tracking function)” allows the vehicle to keep a constant distance
between itself and the preceding vehicle within a speed range from zero to a preset speed, automatically
slowing down and stopping if necessary to avoid collision. When the car in front speeds up, it allows the
driver to accelerate.
• “Lane Departure Alert” is a system that uses a camera to detect white or yellow lane markers while
driving. The system warns the driver with a buzzer and displays if it detects possible deviation in order
to assist in avoiding a collision accident resulting from deviation. In addition, “Lane Keeping Assist
System,” a system that assists the driver’s operation of the steering wheel with electric power steering in
order to help keep the vehicle traveling between lane markers, has been developed.
• “Automatic High Beam” detects the headlights of oncoming vehicles or taillights of vehicles running in
front and adjusts the headlight range, automatically switching to low beam or high beam, in order to
avoid dazzling the visions of the drivers with bright lights, as well as to secure the drivers’ forward
visions at night.
• “Blind Spot Monitor” is a system which aims to reduce accidents by alerting the driver to other vehicles
in the driver’s blind spot diagonally behind the driver’s seat with sound and visual display in the side
mirrors while changing lanes.
From these driving assistance functions, in 2015 Toyota commercialized the Toyota Safety Sense, a
collision avoidance support package that includes the Pre-collision System, the Lane Departure Alert and the
Automatic High Beam. By the end of 2017, Toyota plans to install this package on nearly all models sold in
Japan, the United States and Europe at an affordable price aimed at widespread adaption.
Enhancing Transport Systems
Enhancing transport systems requires taking a general approach that addresses various factors across a wide
scope that are pertinent not only to vehicles but also roads, people and public transport systems in order to ensure
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