Toyota Motor Corporation has added an active steering function to its VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) vehicle control system and developed a two-chamber airbag aimed at lessening the impact of airbag deployment on front-seat passengers.
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These technologies will be offered in new Lexus models due to debut in Japan this summer.
Second-generation VDIM
Toyota’s first-generation VDIM integrated VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), ABS (Anti-lock Brake System), TRC (Traction Control) and electric power steering. By constantly monitoring driver action and vehicle status, it used integrated control to help stabilise a vehicle before performance limits were breached. It made its debut in July 2004 on the Toyota Crown Majesta.
Adding to this, the new VDIM features an active steering function for optimal control of the front-wheel steering angle through VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering), a new technology that can flexibly vary steering responsiveness. As a result, even during startup or braking when the friction coefficient (slipperiness) of the road surfaces under the right and left wheels differs, the new VDIM prevents the vehicle from going off course by optimally controlling the front-wheel steering angle in conjunction with the brakes, engine and steering torque. In this way, a higher level of preventive safety is achieved, along with ideal vehicle performance.
SRS Twin-chamber Airbag
To help make front-seat passengers safer, TMC claims to be the world’s first automaker to develop a two-chamber airbag which features an advanced shape and is based on the omni-support concept. Designed for the front passenger seat, the new airbag’s two chambers create a depression in the centre of the airbag upon deployment. This deployment is met by multiple surfaces, such as the head and shoulders, to disperse the physical impact of the airbag on the passenger.
As a result, unlike existing airbags, which are deployed as a single bag, the new airbag can be expected to lessen the localised force applied to the human body immediately following deployment.
