Gadgetopia

2008 Lexus LS600h L The Lexus 600 club - a class all its own: Besides being a full-blown V-8 hybrid (0-60 in 5.5 seconds, no less), the new Lexus includes this gem. It sounds amazing in theory, but could all that actually work together?

It […] features an advanced precollision system (APCS) that helps warn the driver of an impending collision with a pedestrian. Two cameras are mounted at the front of the car in conjunction with millimeter-wave radar to detect large metal obstructions such as cars, as well as smaller non-metallic objects such as humans.

A third camera is mounted on the steering column. It senses when a driver isn’t looking directly ahead for a few seconds and if an obstacle is detected ahead, a warning bell chimes and a light flashes

If the car gets closer to the obstacle, pressure is automatically applied to the brakes and the steering ratio becomes amplified so any sharp steering manouvers will be enhanced. Last, while this is all happening, the seatbelt tightens around the driver and the brake system is prepared to respond with full force if and when it is activated by the driver.

Thanks, Declan.