Toyota's 6th Sense
Toyota Safety Sense? is a bundle of active safety features on many new Toyota vehicles at no additional cost. These innovative features were designed to help protect you and your passengers from harm.*
With over 88% of American households owning at least one vehicle, safety is now at the forefront of the automotive industry. As cars continue to become safer and more convenient, Toyota has taken the next step toward a new dimension of comprehensive integrated safety. This is Toyota Safety Sense.
Toyota Safety Sense comprises of 5 standard features; Pre-Collision System, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Auto High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Alert.
Pre-Collision System - Using an integrated camera and laser or radar to help detect other vehicles in front of you, the Pre-Collision System (PCS) can prompt you to take action using audio and visual alerts if it determines a frontal collision is likely. If you notice the potential collision and apply the brakes, PCS may apply additional force using Brake Assist (BA). If you don’t brake in time, PCS may automatically apply the brakes for you, helping to minimize the likelihood of a frontal collision or reduce its severity.*
Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Alert - Using an in-vehicle camera and radar to help detect a vehicle or a pedestrian in front of you, the PCS with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD) works in the same way as the normal PCS. It is more specifically aimed towards city driving and the protection of pedestrians in busy areas.*
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control - Intended for highways and similar to “constant speed” cruise control, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) lets you drive at a preset speed. DRCC uses vehicle-to-vehicle distance control, which adjusts your speed, to help you maintain a preset distance from vehicles ahead of you that are driving at a slower speed. DRCC uses a front-grille-mounted radar and an in-vehicle camera to detect vehicles and their distance. If a driver is traveling slower than you, or within your preset range, DRCC will automatically slow your vehicle down without deactivating cruise control. If DRCC determines you need to slow down more, an audio and visual alert notifies you and brakes are applied. When there’s no longer a vehicle driving slower than your set speed in front of you, DRCC will then accelerate and regular cruise control will resume.*
Auto High Beam Assist - Automatic High Beams (AHB) are a safety system designed to help you see more clearly at night—without blinding other drivers. Designed to activate at speeds above 25 mph, AHB rely on an in-vehicle camera to help detect the headlights of oncoming vehicles and taillights of preceding vehicles, then automatically toggle between high and low beams accordingly to provide the appropriate amount of light. By using high beams more frequently, the system may allow earlier detection of pedestrians and obstacles.*
Lane Departure Alert - Under certain circumstances, Lane Departure Alert (LDA) is designed to detect lane departure on roads with clear markings. LDA only activates when you’re traveling at a speed of 32 mph or faster. When you hear and see the alert, after carefully checking the road around you, you should safely direct your vehicle back to the center of your lane. A more advanced version of this comes with Steer Assist, which will help guide you back onto course.*
Most vehicles are also equipped with 8 airbags as standard, parking sensors and rear view cameras. More advanced features include a Birds-eye view camera and acoustic and visual parking sensors. With quieter cabins these vehicles are not only safe, but also more pleasant and comfortable to drive.
*Image and content credit: Toyota USA