| The Lexus LS 600h that goes on
sale in October will feature what the company claims is the world’s
first driver monitoring system.
The system forms part of a pre-crash safety (PCS) system that brings together
features that can recognise a potentially dangerous situation, help the
driver take avoiding action and reduce the risk of a collision. If there
is an impact, they also work to help minimise the consequences.
Driver monitoring is used to detect distractions or drowsiness. It uses
an algorithm to map the position of the driver’s facial features
and monitors movement of the driver’s head. A CCD (charge-coupled
device) camera is mounted on top of the steering column with six built-in
near-infrared LEDs that allow the system to work accurately both day and
night.
When the vehicle is started, the system automatically plots the position
of the driver’s facial features – eyes, nose and mouth –
and measures the width and centreline of the face. If the driver’s
head is turned away from the road at an angle of more than 15 degrees
when the vehicle is moving and an obstacle is detected ahead, the system
automatically activates the pre-crash warning buzzer and briefly applies
the brakes to warn of the danger.
If this still fails to prompt action from the driver, the PCS engages
emergency braking preparation and pre-tensions the front seatbelts.
Before being put into production, the system was tested with more than
100 drivers, covering a total of more than 60,000 miles. As long as the
driver’s face is in the clear sight-line of the camera, it will
function accurately, regardless of the driver’s seat position, facial
characteristics, or if sunglasses are being worn.
As well as scanning the driver’s face and the road ahead, the Lexus
LS is also looking behind with a rear pre-crash safety system.
A rear-mounted miniature camera constantly monitors the area around the
back of the car. If it detects an imminent collision, the front seat headrests
automatically move up and forward to cushion the occupants’ heads
and help prevent whiplash. The system operates whether the car is moving
or stationary.
If a collision is calculated to be unavoidable, the system activates the
front seat pre-crash intelligent headrests. These will move up to 60mm
forward and 35mm upward to cushion the head in anticipation of an impact,
reducing the risk of whiplash.
The headrests are fitted with a sensor that measures the distance between
the passenger’s head and the headrest itself, so there is no risk
of the emergency adjustment itself causing substantial contact. The system
does not operate if the seat is unoccupied.
These systems will be fitted as standard on the LS 600h and LS 600h L
(long wheel base) as well as the LS 460, launched earlier this year.
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