Brake Assist Navigation
Latest technology to help improve driving safety recently has been released by Toyota. They introduced a system which was first created in the world, the mating system of mapping satellite (GPS; Global Positioning System) with a mechanical braking system on the car.
Together with Aisin AW Co. Ltd. (Manufacturing system on a car mechanics), ZENRIN Co. Ltd. (Navigation software manufacturers), and Toyota Mapmaster Incorporated, Toyota believes this technology will reduce accidents at intersections. Next, it will be applied on every Toyota’s domestic lineup in the future. For information, research results of U.S. – Japan Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) found that 58% of accidents are caused by the condition of the crossing and 30% accidents are caused by the unavailability of or do not observe traffic signs.
The way this technology works is quite simple. A navigation system will monitor the car’s position (based at the front and back of the car), which is located in the main lane (lane four lines), and the lane marked STOP. This system also maps the accident-prone intersections based on reports from Toyota Motor Corporation’s Integrated Safety Management Concept.
Meanwhile accident prevention is divided into three stages; first, the alarm signal is an audio-visual alert will be reminded of the accident-prone intersections or traffic markings STOP. The accuracy of time is approximately 100 m before the sign. The second stage, audio-visual alarm will be back “shout” louder, if the driver still has not slowed his car. When it works, about four seconds before the car approached the traffic sign.
The next step, Brake Assist system will be optimized the brake strength and distance, if the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes in panic has been at the crossroads who have been warned. Toyota has been testing this system in Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka, as well as in 23 other districts of the city.
Global test results, TMC expect there are three changes. First, the touch technology can improve driving safety. Second, this system proved to participate creates an orderly traffic. Finally, there are educational activities of the driver. In this case, the sensitivity of drivers of road conditions will be helpful, in addition to eliminating the occurrence of accidents.