LAS VEGAS: Next week, the bright lights of Las Vegas will shine brightly on the Toyota Research Institute (TRI) when it unveils its TRI-P4 automated driving test vehicle on Jan 7 at this year's Consumer Electronic Show.

The P4 is based on the all-new fifth-generation Lexus LS flagship sedan and will be used in TRI's two-track Guardian and Chauffeur automated driving system development.

"Our Chauffeur development is focused on full autonomy, where the human is essentially removed from the driving equation, either completely in all environments, or within a restricted driving domain," said TRI automated driving senior vice president Ryan Eustice.

"Guardian, on the other hand, is being designed to amplify human performance behind the wheel, not replace it. The introduction of the new P4 platform will help us accelerate the development of both tracks when it joins our fleet this spring."



The P4 benefits from Lexus' new generation of chassis and steering control technology, which provides greater agility and allows for more responsive and smoother maneuvers during automated driving.

The test vehicle adds two additional cameras to improve situational awareness on the sides and two new imaging sensors ― one facing forward and one pointed to the rear, specifically designed for autonomous vehicles.

The imaging sensors feature new chip technology with high dynamic range.

The radar system has been optimized to improve the field of view, especially for close range detection around the vehicle perimeter.

The LIDAR sensing system with eight scanning heads carries over from the previous test model, Platform 3.0, and morphs into the new vehicle design.

The test vehicle is now a much smarter one than its predecessor.

With greater computing power, its systems can operate more machine learning algorithms in parallel for faster learning.

It can process sensor inputs faster and react more quickly to the surrounding environment.

All computing system power is now drawn from the vehicle's hybrid battery with the 12V battery now serving only as a backup.

The computer box in the trunk, which serves as the "brain" of the automated driving system, has been reimagined.

It is now tucked vertically against the rear seat transom, folding down to access the circuitry.

This frees up the entire floor of the trunk for hauling cargo.

"We took a holistic approach to integrating autonomous componentry into the design of the new LS," said CALTY Design Research senior lead designer Scott Roller.

"The result is a fluid surface embracing advanced technology loosely inspired by science fiction in the graphic separations between form and function."

TMNA R&D's Prototype Development Center will begin fabricating P4 vehicles from stock models from the second quarter.

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