Toyota introduces self-braking cars

If you see the car as ‘white goods’ then you are going to love the new technology Toyota is putting into their cars. A brake system that knows where junctions are and slows down your car safely.

They have taken brake assist to a new level and combined it with a digital map and a global positioning system.

The car’s system works out its position in the virtual world and when they come close to a junction, warning signals start flashing on the navigation screen which is followed by a series of beeps and finally actual braking.

The system is so sophisticated it can even optimise the braking force to suit the intended stopping distance .

At the moment the system has to rely on a series of transmitters that are installed on major four-lane junctions in 23 Tokyo wards. The transmitters just help to confirm distances and ensure better safety because GPS systems can misplace a few metres after traveling so they may brake too late or too early without fixed guidance on the roadside.

Self parking: Done

Self braking: Done

Self steering: Can be done but maybe the world is not ready for it yet.

Completely autonomous car: Sooner than you think