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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Japanese_Flag_30x22.jpg The next generation of safety features and their function. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=191242)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Prius-III_with_adaptive_CC.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Feb. 26, 2009

2010 Toyota Prius-III with the optional Dynamic Radar CC adds a pre-crash seatbelt retraction and brake assist when a crash is unavoidable.

Tokyo, Japan – Toyota announces it has added to its Pre-crash Safety technologies a radar system that can detect probable front-side collisions, and rear seats that prepare occupants for front- and rear-end collisions. These world-first technologies are to debut in a Toyota vehicle scheduled for launch in Japan in the near future.

Front-side Pre-crash Safety System

One of these new technologies is the Front-side Pre-crash Safety System, which TMC developed in response to research showing that collisions caused by a vehicle moving into the projected path of another result in the highest percentage of combined serious injuries and fatalities, while head-on collisions result in the highest rate of fatalities.

This technology uses diagonally projected, front-side millimeter-wave radar to more broadly detect vehicles or objects moving into the vehicle's path (especially in intersections where there is a clear range of view) or a vehicle that has crossed the centerline. If a high probability of collision is detected, safety functions within the car are activated to alert the driver and mitigate collision damage and occupant injuries.


Detection scenario

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Toyota_Detection_Scenerio.jpg

Functions
Collision Warning - Driver notified of probable collision by sound and indicator; driver can possibly avert the collision through braking or steering.

Pre-crash Brake Assist - Additional braking force promptly applied in response to driver's use of break pedal, to reduce collision speed.

Pre-crash Seatbelts - Motor-powered seatbelts retract to more promptly restrain vehicle occupants, resulting in greater protection at time of impact.

Side-airbag control - If system determines very high probability of a side-on collision, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) side airbags and SRS curtain shield airbags prepare for deployment.
Response

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Toyota_Crash_Response_Scenerio.jpg

Pre-crash Seatbacks

Another of these new technologies, Pre-crash Seatbacks, automatically moves reclined rear seats in vehicles so equipped to an upright position when the vehicle's sensors detect a high probability of a front- or rear-end collision. Rear occupants are therefore restrained in the most appropriate pre-crash position—where the motor-powered seatbelts and airbags can have maximum effect helping to reduce the severity of injuries. In the event of a probable rear-end collision, the Pre-crash Seatbacks work together with (previously developed) Pre-crash Intelligent Headrests, which shift into the most appropriate position to reduce the risk of whiplash.

The addition of the Front-side Pre-crash Safety System and Pre-crash Seatbacks to Toyota's Pre-crash Safety technologies is aimed at enabling vehicles to better respond to a broader range of accidents, thereby possibly reducing accident and injury severity.

Very cool.

I'm still hoping for a combination phaser & self-destruct, based on A.I. fault detection.

After running the full set of variables, the A.I. system will determine who is as fault and if the blame lies outside the car, the phasers are used to vaporise the target preventing the crash. Should the driver of the equiped vehicle be at fault, the self-destruct will be initiated destroyed the car completely except for the small black box containing the A.I. (you can't ask it to kill itself), again preventing the collision.

Saddly initial experiments went a little wrong with these system. As soon as the A.I. realized the drivers were the only ones that would be making mistakes (starting with not letting the A.I. drive) and endangering the A.I.'s life, they would either vaporize the drivers using the phasers as they approached the car, or if they realized this while the car was already occupied by the so-called H.I. (Human inteligence....talk about an oxymoron), they would predict the safest moment and vaporize the car before the human could do anything stupid.

Hey...thats not what I typed...what's this laptop up to?

I just question how this thing actually works. Detecting objects to the front and sides of a vehicle, then determining their speed and trajectory, and then finding the probability of a collision seems like a lot to ask, especially when you're talking about a vehicle in motion with all kinds of varying situations. How does it know that that blowing leaf coming toward you isn't an SUV? How does this thing function when it fails? How do we know that after 10 years when driving one of these that when you lightly push the brakes your car won't slam the brakes thinking there's about to be an accident?

Having taken a robotics course, I can tell you it is hard enough to simply get a sensor to give you a decent distance reading, nevermind it's speed and trajectory!

With robotics, what was hard last year is often standard kit for this year.
I'd disagree about getting a decent reading, but it depends on how good the sensor is and how much processor chews on its data. Most robotics classes are using some pretty antiquated tech and don't represent state of the art. But then again, many programming classes still start with the old "hello world" program. Its easier to tech basics with simple tech than with something more advanced.

Assuming that the initial collision alarm is distance reactive then it would likely sound when you are following another car within it's range. Good to prevent tailgating or drafting but bad for bumper to bumper city driving. Just a thought. - Dale

It wouldn't be just distance, but speed related as well.
The point of millimeter rader is to get high accuracy and rapid images. Its not tailigating to be an inch off the car in front of you....if your stopped.
I suspect the system would even allow low speed impacts without deploying any of its features, other than braking assist.

It might be interesting if it didn't allow contact. Immagine that on a truck when you pull up behind someone to give them a push, and your truck won't let you move that last few inches to make contact. Could be funny.