Lexus Brings the Future One Step Closer With a Dedication to Self-Driving Technology
The relationship between car and driver is an idea that has taken on much symbolic weight since the first automobiles rolled out more than a century ago, becoming a celebrated part of our culture in autosports, in any movie with a good car chase, and even in our own daily lives (to a less intense extent, of course). It might even be well argued that human beings have always been drawn to the thrill of piloting, in concert with the many modes of transportation that have been discovered and innovated through our existence. But, with some new changes on the horizon, it looks like there may still be some surprising shifts yet to come in how we think about how we relate to our cars.
On the other side of things, it can’t be overlooked that driving has become such a regular and necessary part of everyday life that, often, people just aren’t at their best behind the wheel. Accidents not only happen but are common, and the attention of drivers has never been more geared toward what’s happening inside their vehicles, as opposed to outside on the road, than it is in the modern age. With that under consideration, it only makes good sense that, of all things, automated driving technology is fast on the rise. And rather than thinking of it as something that is keen to replace the pleasure and skill of the driving experience, it seems more reasonable to welcome it as a technology that now makes serious, hands-on driving more of a conscious choice than ever before, adding a whole new dimension to how we think about and manage our personal transportation.
Currently, Lexus leads the charge with a few other major automakers in the efforts to make self-driving cars a reality sooner than later, continuing on the path that it laid out with the debut of its first self-driving system in 2013. Making its debut as an optional, highway-specialized ‘autopilot’ function that essentially expands the innovation of cruise control into a much more hands-off system, Lexus has made it clear that it plans to have its self-driving technology available in new vehicles before 2020. Equipped not only with a host of sensors, scanners, and radar to move safely and efficiently on the road in the immediate sense, this new wave of vehicles is planned to make the most of what modern wireless communication has to offer in going the extra mile, trading data about the speed of nearby cars, following directions to exit and pass, and even help strategize based on upcoming traffic conditions.
It’s certainly a whole new world for drivers to consider and engage with, but luckily, it’s also one that they can safely turn their valuable attention to without worrying. Lexus is currently testing an early version of their technology in Japan, and some fascinating details are sure to be emerging as things move closer to a reality for customers. We’ll be here at Lexus of Highland Park with all the upcoming details, so, as usual, stay tuned for the details!
