2018 Lexus LS to Include World-First Technology
New Lexus LS will Even Steer Itself Away from Obstacles
It’s true that modern cars are reaching a ceiling that many thought would come much later in time, or maybe even never. Internal combustion engines have reached a point where there’s hardly any development left to do. That leaves us with the expansion of electrified engines, whether they be hybrid, plug-in, or fully EV.
On top of that, the development of safety, and semi-autonomous driving technologies have quickly risen to the top of priority lists from Germany to Japan, and of course, the United States. That’s where the focus currently lays, and it will most likely remain for many years to come. Sure, engines will keep becoming more compact, and transmissions more efficient, but they no longer have to be reinvented.
According to LS chief engineer Toshio Asahi, future owners of the flagship Lexus will enjoy several brand-new technologies, including auto-steering. When it comes to pre-crash and semi-autonomous tech features, the LS will boast the world’s largest HUD (heads up display), which measures a whopping 24-inches. In addition, the super-luxe sedan will be able to steer away to avoid an obstacle on the road without the driver having to intervene.
“In our advanced safety packaging system, we have three features that are world firsts,” Asahi told Automotive News.
Lexus’ current system can only bring itself to a halt from 37 mph, and it hasn’t been confirmed if this speed threshold will be increased on the future generation sedan. That being said, it most likely will. Further aiding to avoid relatively low speed collisions, will be several millimeter-wave radars and stereo cameras located in the LS’s perimeter.
Pedestrians and other objects remain a tough challenge for these systems to crack. Not only do radars have to detect the existence of mass, but cameras have to decipher what that mass is. Allowing a vehicle to decide between a child running across the road, and a plastic bag flying in the wind is harder you than you might think.
It’s going to be a very interesting few years to come.
