Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it has developed a vehicle system that gives motorists advance warnings of unavoidable collisions and takes pre-emptive action to minimize impact and injuries.
Toyota plans to install the precrash safety system in vehicles scheduled to be introduced next year.
The system consists of a sensor, a control unit, a special seat belt and a brake-assisting device.
The sensor uses millimeter-wave radar to detect vehicles and other obstructions on the road ahead, sending the information to the control unit. That determines whether a collision is imminent based on the vehicle's position, speed and course.
The seat belt, which may be installed in addition to conventional seat belts, is designed to reduce injuries by minimizing slackness in the moments before impact.
The brake-assisting device reduces collision speed by providing additional braking power, it said.