Dynamic Laser Cruise Control

[humanoid]

Dynamic Laser Cruise Control

October 1, 2007 – Torrance, CA - Dynamic Laser Cruise Control (DLCC) is offered in select Toyota and Lexus models, taking cruise control systems to the next level. Using the latest technology, the DLCC system is designed to help control the distance between the vehicle and the traveling vehicle ahead based on the driving lanes, the vehicle traveling ahead, and vehicle speed.

DLCC has two cruise control modes: constant speed and vehicle-to-vehicle control. The cruise control switch is used for switching between the two modes. Cruise control in the constant speed mode is identical to a conventional type cruise control system. The DLCC starts in the vehicle-to-vehicle control mode, which immediately recognizes and determines the lane in which the driver and the vehicle ahead are traveling. This enables the system to help maintain the pre-set vehicle-to-vehicle distance in accordance with the speed of the vehicle ahead.

The vehicle-to-vehicle control mode consists of four main controls: constant speed, deceleration, following and acceleration. Similar to a conventional type cruise control system, the constant speed control mode is controlled by the Electronic Control Module (ECM), which sends signals to the solenoid valves, throttle control motor and other actuators.

The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode is controlled by a laser sensor and distance control Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The laser sensor is made up of the laser emitting component, laser receiving component, and the Central Processing Unit (CPU).

The laser emitting component radiates laser beams forward while the laser receiving component uses the reflected beams for detecting the presence of a preceding vehicle as well as measuring the vehicle-to-vehicle distance. The laser emits beams 16 degrees horizontally and four degrees vertically. The detection range of the sensor is approximately 400 feet ahead. The CPU will not react to non-moving objects.

The CPU calculates the vehicle-to-vehicle distance and the relative speed, transmitting this information to the distance control ECU. The signals are first sent to the ECM for data processing and then to the actuators.

In constant speed control mode, the ECM compares the actual vehicle speed and the set speed and regulates the throttle control to obtain the set vehicle speed. If the vehicle speed is less than the set speed, ECM activates the throttle motor in the throttle open direction.

In deceleration control mode, the ECM slows the vehicle using throttle and brake control so the vehicle-to-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle equals the set distance. The distance settings are: long (approximately 245 feet), medium (approximately 165 feet), and short (approximately 100 feet) while traveling at 55 miles per hour. If the deceleration rate is more than a predetermined value, the Vehicle's Stability Control (VSC) ECU will activate the rear brake lights to inform the driver behind of the vehicle's deceleration.

In the following-control mode, the ECM helps maintain the pre-set vehicle-to-vehicle distance by matching the speed of the vehicle ahead, and regulating the throttle.

The acceleration control accelerates the vehicle to the pre-set vehicle speed, if the vehicle ahead has changed lanes. Then the vehicle resumes fixed-speed cruising. Cruise control has a minimum speed of 25 miles per hour. In the constant speed mode, the cruise control is cancelled automatically if the vehicle speed drops below 25 miles per hour. It will cancel and clear the memory if the vehicle speed is more than ten miles per hour below the set vehicle speed.

In vehicle-to-vehicle mode, the cruise control is cancelled automatically if it falls below 25 miles per hour but the set vehicle speed is stored in the memory. If the laser sensor is dirty, the wipers are operating at Low, High or Auto mode or the laser receives a strong light (sun light) from the vehicle ahead, the cruise control will also cancel.

DLCC is not a collision-avoidance system and will not prevent accidents. DLCC is a vehicle speed control device that is intended for use only on freeways or roads where the traffic is light or moderate. Do not rely excessively on DLCC to control the vehicle's speed.

DLCC is standard on the Toyota Sienna XLE Limited van, and available on the Toyota Avalon Limited sedan, Lexus LS 430 luxury sedan and the Lexus RX 330 luxury utility vehicle.

[94CoupeV6]

That's pretty damn cool. I wonder if it will mess with peoples radar detectors?

[Sulu]

Originally Posted by 94CoupeV6

That's pretty damn cool. I wonder if it will mess with peoples radar detectors?

I do not think that it will interfere with radar detectors, as the DLCC and radar detectors work with different technology. The DLCC works with lasers, which is light. A radar detector works with radio waves (radar is an acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging).

DLCC may affect lidar (LIght Detection And Ranging) speed detectors though, I think, at least theoretically.

[xet]

wow i hope this doesnt mess up laser detection or its going to be a huge pita

[Qslim]

I think that DLCC system is a bad idea. I've had to take a couple of Siennas on the highway to test the system after i made repairs, and thought it was an awfully unsettling feeling. Even with the distance setting set as far as it would go, it was still closer than I like to be behind a car doing 70mph, and I found my foot hovering constantly over the brake pedal when closing in on someone's bumper. Not only that, but I really don't think we need to be adding things to cars that give already inattentive drivers one less thing to worry about when it comes to piloting a 3300lb machine at highway speeds. Now they don't even need to put their feet near the pedals OR maintain constant vigilance out the windshield, the car can just do it for them!

[Sulu]

Originally Posted by Qslim

I think that DLCC system is a bad idea. I've had to take a couple of Siennas on the highway to test the system after i made repairs, and thought it was an awfully unsettling feeling. Even with the distance setting set as far as it would go, it was still closer than I like to be behind a car doing 70mph, and I found my foot hovering constantly over the brake pedal when closing in on someone's bumper. Not only that, but I really don't think we need to be adding things to cars that give already inattentive drivers one less thing to worry about when it comes to piloting a 3300lb machine at highway speeds. Now they don't even need to put their feet near the pedals OR maintain constant vigilance out the windshield, the car can just do it for them!

The distance setting should be easily changed in the computer software that controls the DLCC. If there are enough owners who complain about it, Toyota should be able to revise the software and then make it available through a technical service bulletin, just as they fixed a problem on the Prius by adjusting the software.

As to whether this is truly a safety system, I agree with you. I remember when driving our Gen1 Camry (our first car with cruise control), how it lulled me into a false sense of security and inattention.

[keith8853]

I have a 2008 Sienna with DLCC and for the most part I love it. The only complaint I have is that if the slow car in front of me pulls off the road, or I change lanes where he is no longer in front of me, the cruise control shifts down into passing gear and accelerates violently. This uses a lot of gas. Can this be changed to provide a slower acceleration to the preset speed?

[chuckoff]

Once again car makers have added new gadgets to cars for people who do not know how to drive. Cruise control is bad enough as is evident every time some ass wipe runs up on your bumper refusing to hit the brakes. Yup, diving like a video game and as if there is no tomorrow. Now, we have things to futher take our attention off the road. New cars safer? What a laugh. It is dangerous out there. Cell phones, Video Screens in the middle of the dash (gps/nav. systems) Laser cruise, self parrallel parking, doo-dads to stop your car if you forget to look in front of you. The best bunch of crapola are those fools trying to invent self driving cars that follow sensors implanted into the roadway. Like nothing could go wrong there. I'd rather drive into a zero visibility fog bank. Those engineers watch too much Star Treck. Ranting I am yes. I have to work on all that kind of crap and listen to the owners whine about how much it costs to fix it. What did they expect? Here is an example: 2004 Sienna has a/f sensor codes. Fix is to r&r both sensors and re calibrate the ECM. Cost around $650, unless you have Laser Cruise. Then you have to also replace the brake actuator assembly for another $2800! Ha Ha Ha, now Laser cruise doesn't sound so great, does it? I hope old cars are never illegal, because I'll have to start taking the bus.

[arabianobsession]

It's also on the Land Cruiser and higher trim levels of the Sequoia.

[ECHOKnight2000]

Originally Posted by chuckoff

Once again car makers have added new gadgets to cars for people who do not know how to drive. Cruise control is bad enough as is evident every time some ass wipe runs up on your bumper refusing to hit the brakes. Yup, diving like a video game and as if there is no tomorrow. Now, we have things to futher take our attention off the road. New cars safer? What a laugh. It is dangerous out there. Cell phones, Video Screens in the middle of the dash (gps/nav. systems) Laser cruise, self parrallel parking, doo-dads to stop your car if you forget to look in front of you. The best bunch of crapola are those fools trying to invent self driving cars that follow sensors implanted into the roadway. Like nothing could go wrong there. I'd rather drive into a zero visibility fog bank. Those engineers watch too much Star Treck. Ranting I am yes. I have to work on all that kind of crap and listen to the owners whine about how much it costs to fix it. What did they expect? Here is an example: 2004 Sienna has a/f sensor codes. Fix is to r&r both sensors and re calibrate the ECM. Cost around $650, unless you have Laser Cruise. Then you have to also replace the brake actuator assembly for another $2800! Ha Ha Ha, now Laser cruise doesn't sound so great, does it? I hope old cars are never illegal, because I'll have to start taking the bus.

I agree with you. I'm not against technology but this stuff is getting out of hand. Its like enabling people who are already addicted to FB, or cell phones or whatever, plus its in a moving vehicle. Yeah, drivers don't pay much attention as it is, and this doesnt' help. And yeah on the more features you have in a car the more that can go wrong and break down. Look at VW (in the past at least with lots of stuff) and the other German makes. But its also other car makers.

While this is cool, there are other carmakers that have their own version of this as well. Nothing new.

[silver04rollas]

Toyota is late to the party. Radar guided cruise control has been around for almost a decade now.

[arabianobsession]

From Wikipedia:

Mitsubishi was the first automaker to offer a laser-based ACC system in 1995 on the Japanese Diamante. Marketed as "Preview Distance Control", this early system did not apply the brakes and only controlled speed through throttle control and downshifting.[5][6]
In August 1997, Toyota began to offer a "radar cruise control" system on the Celsior.[7][8] Toyota further refined their system by adding "brake control" in 2000 and "low-speed tracking mode" in 2004. The low-speed speed tracking mode was a second mode that would warn the driver if the car ahead stopped and provide braking; it could stop the car but then deactivated.[9] In 2006, Toyota introduced its "all-speed tracking function" for the Lexus LS 460. This system maintains continuous control from speeds of 0 km/h to 100 km/h and is designed to work under repeated starting and stopping situations such as highway traffic congestion.[10] The Lexus division was the first to bring adaptive cruise control to the US market in 2000 with the LS 430's Dynamic Laser Cruise Control system.[11]

[projektvertx]

^ As I was reading thru the thread and some of the responses, I kept thinking to myself "Um..... I'm pretty sure what's being described is in the '02 LS430 I picked up for my dad. What's the big deal here?" Then I read your response above

EDIT: And just another comment, on the '00-'03 LS430, I'm pretty sure this only came in the Premium version. I know it came on my dad's, can anyone with the Touring confirm that for me?

[n155]

I posted this in the Avalon forum but didn't get any helpful results. Could someone help me here?

I bought an 06 Avalon Limited a few days ago, and it scared the crap out of us within the first 10 minutes of ownership. I was merging onto the interstate and set the cruise control. Suddenly, the system applied the brakes so forcefully that the ABS engaged. My foot was no where near the brake pedal. This was on the interstate, but luckily there was a construction lane. I looked at the manual at home and it said do not use the cruise control when merging onto a freeway. No where did it mention, however, that the system would slam on the brakes.

The next day, I was traveling on the interstate (not merging). I applied the cruise control and the system detected a car in front and slowed down. I changed lanes into a lane where there was nothing in front of me. The system stopped the car again! This time we were on a bridge.

I looked at the manual again and it said to make sure the sensors in the front bumper were clean. I looked and there were some bugs on it. Again, though, no where in the manual did it say that a dirty sensor would cause the car to stop itself.

Anyone else have this problem? What can I do to resolve this? Thanks!

[Tideland Prius]

Maybe check the alignment of the laser (re: the bridge incident). I have Dynamic radar cruise control and I have had it go off once while crossing a bridge but it never braked. It just sounded the "BRAKE!" alarm and flashed it on the multi-info display for half a second, maybe a second tops and that's it. I would think a laser is more prone to slightly misalignment (has the Avalon been in an accident before with the previous owner(s)??).