Technology

This function alerts the driver and activates the brakes to either help avoid a collision or reduce the severity of an impact when the vehicle’s on-board sensors (such as cameras and radars) determine that the vehicle may collide with other road users such as pedestrians or preceding vehicles. The function achieves a high level of control of both performing necessary operations and restricting unwanted operations. In addition to complying with laws and regulations, the function has also been highly rated in assessments in markets around the world including the U.S.A., Europe, China, and Japan.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is a driving support system that maintains vehicle speed and a safe following distance from vehicles ahead. On-board sensors such as a camera and radar allow the system to detect vehicles ahead. Although conventionally intended for use only on expressways, a product is being developed for use on inter-urban and city roads using GNSS* information. ACC also contributes to carbon neutrality by reducing fuel consumption as the system optimizes the vehicle acceleration.

*Global Navigation Satellite System

Lane Keep Assist (LKA) supports traveling in the center of the lane by lane marker detection and steering control using information from on-board sensors. It delivers a pleasant driving feel and an advanced driving experience even without a high-precision map.

This function detects vehicles traveling behind and to the side that can become hidden in the vehicle’s blind spot using the vehicle’s on-board sensors (such as cameras and radar). The function also alerts the occupants as a door is opened if it determines that a collision may occur with an approaching vehicle. We are working to enhance its functionality to alert the driver across a wide range of potentially-dangerous situations.

Data about the driver’s head pose, position and gaze computed by a face image recognition algorithm on in-cabin driver monitoring camera is converted to unsuitable status for driving by driver’s status estimation algorithm. The results lead to functions that watch over drivers with safety and peace of mind. As a technology that connects drivers and vehicles, these functions contribute to expanding the functionality and improving the performance.

The driver operates the vehicle remotely after alighting from the vehicle to pull into and out of a selected parking space. Especially useful in tight and hard-to-access spaces or when loading and unloading luggage is difficult, this system allows the vehicle to be moved to an appropriate location, improving the vehicle's usability.

Integrated with the parking facility management system, this system recognizes the surrounding environment and automatically parks the vehicle in an available parking space. After exiting the vehicle, the driver can also call the parked vehicle to the pick-up location automatically, allowing for safe and secure parking entry/exit.

This system detects the obstacles around the vehicle in parking lots etc., and when the risk of collision increases, the system alerts the driver and automatically applies the brakes to mitigate the collision. This contributes to reducing accidents in parking lots, which constitute a third of all accidents.

The motion control software module adeptly regulates actuators such as brakes and steering. For instance, when Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and the Lane Keep Assist (LKA) are engaged simultaneously, by referencing information detected by sensors such as cameras and radars, along with the driver's input, this module controls these actuators to ensure that the vehicle maintains its course within the lane while also guaranteeing an optimal following distance and speed, thereby elevating the driving experience to a premium level.