Toyota launches a new technology that will help drivers

The recently developed acceleration suppressionToyota function was designed to counteract incorrect accelerator pedal application, and will be launched in Japan this summer as part of an update to the automaker’s Safety Sense package.

The new technology will first be offered as an option on new vehicles in the Land of the Rising Sun, before reaching other markets around the world.

The Japanese brand will also upgrade the accelerator control systems on certain existing models at some point this year.

Unlike its previous incorrect pedal application acceleration control system, this new technology aims to control acceleration caused by abnormal pedal operation, even when no obstacles are present. Nevertheless, Toyota believes it can also reduce the number of accidents caused by incorrect pedal application in car parks and other areas.

A technology to increase driver safety

Toyota also plans to share the operating logic of this function with other automakers. A major breakthrough came when the company managed to isolate instances in which drivers actually had to intentionally accelerate rapidly, and to identify and calculate instances in which the accelerator was operating abnormally.

Acceleration suppression will join pre-collision emergency braking, automatic high beam dimming, lane departure warning, lane tracing assist, road sign recognition and radar dynamic cruise control within Toyota’s Safety Sense package.

Later this year, Toyota will also move certain safety functions that Lexus currently uses to mass-market Toyota brands, such as emergency steering assist or the driver emergency stop assist system.

The Japanese brand has pointed out that this technology aims to help deter serious accidents and reduce the damage caused by incorrect accelerator application. In 2012, Toyota introduced intelligent clearance sonar (ICS). Today, 32 models, or 83 percent of its range, are equipped with ICS. More recently, in 2018, Toyota launched an update to its incorrect pedal application acceleration control system for certain existing vehicles.

The system can now be installed on 12 models, and 20,300 units had been installed as of December 31, 2019. However, these devices and systems only work when sensors detect obstacles such as other cars or walls. The recently developed Toyota function aims to control acceleration caused by abnormal accelerator operation, even when no obstacles are present.

As Toyota was in the development phase, the company first analysed real accidents where the cause was determined to be incorrect pedal application, particularly analysing situations in which the accelerator pedal was fully depressed. The characteristics of these situations were compared with big data collected from connected cars. By eliminating instances in which drivers were determined to actually need to accelerate rapidly intentionally, such as when turning right or accelerating from a temporary stop, Toyota was able to identify and calculate instances in which the accelerator was operating abnormally. In turn, this enabled a function adjustment to control acceleration even in the absence of obstacles.