Toyota plans to introduce cars in two years with radio-frequency car-to-car communications which will help avoid collisions and also improve fuel consumption, writes Brian Byrne.
And Japanese carmakers will all use the same radio frequency in Japan so that the systems works across all locally-manufactured vehicles.
The communications system will allow cars fitted with it to automatically communicate the speed of traffic ahead, as well as obstructions and incidents.
This will allow the communicating cars to 'pace' their acceleration and braking patterns to most efficiently handle the traffic situations happening beyond their drivers' visibility.
Toyota has also demonstrated a 'Steer Assist' system which will help drivers steer away from a pedestrian if the car senses that automatic braking won't be enough to avoid a collision. It will be available on the company's cars from around 2015.