Toyota Testing "Smart" Cars

Toyota is currently testing new car safety systems that are designed to allow vehicles to communicate with one another, as well as with the roads they're driving on. It build a whole town to do so in fact, which we wrote a post on last week; Toyota Builds Town in Japan to Test Safety Systems.

A Toyota Lexus at the ITS facility in Japan

The cars at the Intelligent Transport System site receive information from sensors and transmitters installed on the streets to minimize the risk of accidents in situations such as missing a red traffic light, cars advancing from blind spots and pedestrians crossing the street. The system also tests cars that transmit such information to each other," according to the article in the Detroit News.

Toyota says that the smart-car technology will be tested on a few Japanese roads in 2014, and similar tests are in the works for the US. With this new technology the presence of a pedestrian triggers a beeping sound and pictured a person on the screen in the vehicle, a picture of an arrow indicates another car at an upcoming intersection, as well as an electronic voice notifying the driver of a red light if they're not slowing down.

We'll keep you updated as we hear more about the releases of these new technologies! If you'd like to see what's available now, take a look at our new Toyota inventory here!


Image & info via the Detroit News

Toyota Builds Town in Japan to Test Safety Systems

In November, Toyota began operations at its new test site, the Intelligent Transport System Proving Ground. Located in Japan, the testing ground is 8.6 acres of urban environment-mimicking land. It has roads and traffic systems that allow Toyota to test active safety features that are difficult for them to perform on public roadways.

Toyota says that these tests will accelerate research and development into advanced safety systems, and also testing environmental systems in order to improve fuel efficiency. Exhaust Notes blog gives the example, "If cars can talk to infrastructure... they'll know to slow down for an upcoming red light and save fuel."

We didn't build a whole town, but we did build a new building! For more information, read the full article here.


All information and image via Exhaust Notes

Toyota's City-EV Concept: The iiMO

Last year, Toyota unveiled a new concept designed to be an all-electric city car, and deemed it the "Fun-Vii". More recently the concept has been renamed the iiMo and more details have arrived. Before we start, a reminder that this is a futuristic concept car is definitely in order!

The iiMo has an immediately-customizable exterior and interior, as well as a virtual on-board concierge. On top of "navigation goodies", there's wireless recharging and drivers can compete in a videogame-like app that can be played behind the wheel.

Watch the futuristic video just for kicks, but if you'd like a real electric car, view our Plug-In Hybrid Prius inventory here.



Video, image and info via autoblog green

The All-New 802 Toyota is Now Open for Business!

The heavily-anticipated opening of the new building has arrived; 802 Toyota Scion is now open for business right on schedule. The all-new 802 Toyota Scion was an initiative to create a building that was both environmentally friendly and self sufficient.

Just honk your horn - we'll take it from there!

Other innovative plans are ahead for 802’s new facility; there is a rainwater harvesting system, where we will be able to harvest what flows naturally off of the roof to wash cars. Also in store is “waste oil recycling”, where can recycle oil from vehicles and use it to heat the building.

Among other additions, the 802 Toyota Service Center has added a covered service drive, where customers may simply drive their car in for service and won’t have to exit outdoors in the case of unfavorable weather conditions. Like the sound of that? Head to our online Toyota Service Center here.

And if you'd like to come check it out, please - feel free! Same great location - much better building!

Toyota Announces Brand-New Safety Technologies

Toyota has created two advanced safety features, which they presented at the 2012 Safety Technology Seminar. The first is called the Intelligent Clearance Sonar, and the other is Drive-Start Control.

Intelligence Clearance Sonar is meant to reduce parking lot collisions by detecting objects out of the driver's sight, according to Autoblog. If a definite collision is detected, the system will hit the brakes automatically, as well as reduce engine power and sound an alarm.

Drive-Start Control senses if the wrong gear has been selected while the driver is pressing down on the accelerator. This one is a little confusing to me - but their example is that if a driver bumps into something while in reverse, panics and quickly goes to shift gears while still pressing the accelerator - DSC will kick in.

Toyota says that these new features will be available in the very near future. For more information, see the full press release and Autoblog article here.


Image and info via Autoblog