Yes, Toyota vehicles are extensively equipped with automatic braking technology, primarily through their comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense™ suite. As of 2022, Automatic Emergency Braking is a standard component of Toyota Safety Sense for nearly all Toyota models. While the specific feature names might vary depending on the vehicle's year and model, this critical function is most commonly identified as the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection.
Understanding Toyota's Automatic Braking System
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is a crucial safety feature designed to help drivers avoid or mitigate frontal collisions. Toyota integrates this technology as a core part of its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) package, known as Toyota Safety Sense (TSS).
The system utilizes a combination of cameras and radar to monitor the road ahead. If it detects a potential collision with another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist, it first provides audible and visual warnings to the driver. If the driver doesn't react in time, the system can automatically apply the brakes to help prevent or reduce the severity of an impact.
Key Components of Toyota Safety Sense™ (TSS)
Toyota Safety Sense is a bundled suite of active safety features, with automatic braking being a cornerstone. Depending on the generation (TSS 1.0, 2.0, 2.5+, 3.0), the features may vary, but typically include:
- Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection: This is Toyota's name for its automatic braking system, which often includes the ability to detect pedestrians and sometimes cyclists.
- Lane Departure Alert (LDA): Warns the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane without turn signal activation.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) / Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Helps maintain a set speed and a pre-set distance from the vehicle ahead.
- Automatic High Beams (AHB): Automatically switches between high and low beams based on ambient light and oncoming traffic.
- Lane Tracing Assist (LTA): Works with DRCC to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.
- Road Sign Assist (RSA): Displays certain road sign information, such as speed limits, on the multi-information display.
How Toyota's Pre-Collision System Works
The Pre-Collision System (PCS) within Toyota Safety Sense employs a sophisticated network of sensors to assess the likelihood of a frontal collision. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- Detection: A camera mounted on the windshield and a millimeter-wave radar sensor in the grille continuously scan the road for other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
- Warning: If the system determines there's a high probability of a collision, it issues an audible alert and a visual warning on the multi-information display.
- Brake Assist: If the driver presses the brake pedal but not with enough force, the system can provide additional braking force to help slow the vehicle more effectively.
- Automatic Braking: If the driver does not react to the warnings and the system deems a collision imminent, it can automatically apply the brakes to help reduce the vehicle's speed and mitigate the impact.
Availability Across Toyota Models
As highlighted, Toyota has made Automatic Emergency Braking standard on nearly all its vehicles as part of Toyota Safety Sense since 2022. This widespread adoption means that a vast majority of new Toyota cars, SUVs, and trucks are equipped with this vital safety feature.
Below are common examples of Toyota models that feature the Pre-Collision System with Automatic Emergency Braking:
| System Feature (as part of TSS) | Description | Common Toyota Models |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Collision System (PCS) | Detects vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, providing warnings and automatically applying brakes if needed. | Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Tacoma, Sienna, Prius, Venza, Tundra, 4Runner |
The inclusion of automatic braking significantly enhances vehicle safety, providing an extra layer of protection for drivers and passengers, as well as those outside the vehicle.
