Technology changes rapidly and Lexus is one of the companies creating those changes. For example, the 2019 Lexus ES has available road sign assist.
Using the pre-collision system camera to detect road side traffic signs such as speed limit, stop, yield and do not enter, the system then displays the sign on the multi-information display beside the vehicle speed information and on the heads-up display as well.
It is easy to miss a speed-limit change when in busy traffic, especially on unfamiliar roads and the display is a great reminder.
Stop and yield signs can also be easy to miss or may have sight lines obstructed by trees or large traffic. This is just one technology enabled by camera technology.
The Lexus ES also uses cameras mounted on the outside mirrors, front and rear of the vehicle to provide panoramic view monitor. This displays the vehicle surroundings on the dashboard display screen.
Five different modes can be selected including a 180-degree front view, a moving view that displays a rotating bird’s eye image around the car, a see-through view that provides a rotating eye-level view around the car as if the ES is a transparent object, a cornering view to assist the driver when turning sharp corners so they can see where the rear of the vehicle is located and a side clearance view that shows the vehicle from above and behind, so the driver can see the clearance to other objects.
While there are several auto manufacturers using cameras to provide views around the vehicle, Lexus has introduced a world first in the Japanese market with their digital side-view monitor.
This system replaces the outside mirrors with small cameras and shows the display on high-resolution five-inch displays mounted inside the car at the bottom of the A-pillars.
Eliminating the outside mirrors reduces interior wind noise, improves vehicle aerodynamics, enhances vehicle steering stability and as a bonus, the camera displays provide a greater field of vision.
Honda has provided passenger side rear view camera display previously but it didn’t replace the outside mirror, only added another view. The Honda display is so superior to the outside mirror view than I have eagerly anticipated this being used on other vehicles.
Lexus has taken it to the next level by totally eliminating the outside mirrors and positioning the displays where the driver would normally look when checking mirrors for traffic.
The only unfortunate part is it is only in the Japanese market. I look forward to it being available here.
Another unique Lexus innovation is found on the 2019 Lexus UX crossover. The UX’s interior air vents use a one-knob design to control both direction and the volume of airflow but the unique part is that the knob is illuminated by an LED powered wirelessly.
Using a similar principle found in electrical transformers, power is transferred wirelessly from a vibrating electromagnetic coil to another electromagnetic coil.
No wires needed, and the light uses mirror optics to make it appear to have depth even though the reflector is only three mm thick.
Innovation takes many directions and wireless technology is just starting to change the way we operate and enjoy our vehicles.
