The new system uses its on-board sensor to detect the risk of collision with an obstacle or pedestrian, initially warning the driver with visual and audible alerts.
Pre-collision brake assist and automated braking functions are activated when the system detects a sustained high risk of collision. In a situation where a collision is unavoidable with brakes alone and there is enough room available, it will steer the vehicle away from the hazard.
Toyota says it plans to bring advanced pre-collision systems (without steer assist) to market by 2015, with pre-collision systems steer assist to follow.
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17 months or two and a half years - which is it?