Will debut at CES
Joining the bold display of autonomous cars at CES, Toyota will debut the third iteration of its self-driving Lexus LS 600hL next week.
The test vehicle has a new Luminar LIDAR system with a vision range of 200 meters (656 feet). Unlike the previous system that only looked forward, the new unit can see 360 degrees around the car. This improved sight is a result of four LIDAR scanning heads that can detect even difficult-to-see dark objects, Toyota says. To detect small objects near the car, there are shorter-range LIDAR sensors, one in each of the front quarter panels and one each on the front and rear bumpers. Electronics infrastructure and wiring can be found in a small box in the trunk.
Like some, but not all, autonomous cars, the LS features a large sensor mounted on the rooftop. With help from folks at CALTY Design Research in Michigan, Toyota tried to make it look as unobtrusive as possible. The panel features an aerodynamic shape and the sides are finished in chrome, presumably to help it blend in with the trim around the roofline of the car. While still large, the sensor is much sleeker than the one on the previous LS 600hL test vehicle.
Starting this spring, Toyota will produce the autonomous vehicle in small quantities at its research and development center in Michigan. Expect “continued rapid developments” in this project, the automaker says.
The car will debut January 9 at CES in Las Vegas.
Source: Toyota