Toyota and Lexus showcase autonomous research vehicle
Toyota plans to test its new research vehicle in its Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) proving grounds, which are located in Toyota City, Japan. The 8.6-acre proving grounds are designed to mimic an urban driving environment, complete with roads, traffic signals, simulated real-life driving situations such as other vehicles and pedestrians.
The company will use its tests on the proving grounds as research for its ITS technology, which involves short-range vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. ITS cars are able to "talk," using near-field communication, to other vehicles as well as their surrounding environment, to help alert drivers to potential dangers and collisions. For example, in an ITS environment, a car might be able to get an alert from a blind intersection that another car is approaching.
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