Lexus LS 500h Becomes the Base for Autonomous TRI-P4
At the annual CES show in January, Toyota introduced its newest autonomous vehicle for testing. The TRI-P4 car is based on the Lexus LS500h, just as previous autonomous testing cars have been based on the Lexus sedan.
The TRI-P4, which was designed by CALTY Design Research in Ann Arbor, comes with two new cameras on the sides to help improve the car’s awareness of its surroundings. Two new imaging sensors come with new chip technology with high dynamic range. Additionally, the P4’s radar system now comes with an improved field of view. All of these features improve upon previous iterations of Toyota’s autonomous vehicle, helping drive the technology forward and bringing it closer to a reality for future drivers.
The car features a glossy white paint job, and the cameras are designed to blend into the car and make it look more like a regular LS500h. For example, the cameras by the front door hinges look like little black bars rather than cameras.
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The TRI-P4 was made for collecting data, and Toyota is working to get the car up to level four or five of autonomy so it can drive itself without human intervention.
Toyota’s Guardian program aims to develop level three autonomy by having the system aid and bolster the human behind the wheel, but at a higher level than the current level two cars out there on the market right now.
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The Guardian program is where Toyota differs from other automakers. Most companies want to skip level three autonomy, which is when you and the autonomous system have equal control of the car. Level three baffles other companies, so they steer clear of it and think level three will be a huge mess.
Since full autonomy is still several years out, we can’t help but wonder what Toyota will do to close the gap between human and autonomous system with the TRI-P4.
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