All Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in the USA from 2021 will be equipped with dedicated short-range communications (DSRC). The auto maker’s ultimate goal is to have all its models fitted with the technology by the mid-2020s.
“By allowing vehicles’ intelligent systems to collaborate more broadly and effectively through DSRC technology, we can help drivers realize a future with zero fatalities from crashes, better traffic flow and less congestion,” said Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA).
“Three years ago, we pledged to have AEB in almost every vehicle we sell by the end of 2017. Today, 92% of all Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in the USA have Toyota Safety Sense or Lexus Safety System + with AEB standard, and other auto makers’ deployment of this life-saving technology is accelerating, three years ahead of the 2022 industry target.
“In that same spirit, we believe that greater DSRC adoption by all auto makers will not only help drivers get to their destinations more safely and efficiently, but also help lay the foundation for future connected and automated driving systems.”
DSRC transmissions enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications (V2X). DSRC technology, which has been comprehensively tested through government-industry collaborations and is already deployed in some areas of the USA, supports the broadcast of precise anonymized vehicle information several times per second, including location, speed and acceleration.
This information can be used by other DSRC-enabled vehicles and devices to help drivers prevent collisions. Communication can also be enabled to provide helpful real-time information to drivers, such as potential hazards; slow or stopped vehicles ahead; or signals, signs, and road conditions that may be difficult to see.