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Toyota launches 'active steering' next-gen traction control system
By MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News
TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. has unveiled its next generation traction control system, which will be deployed first in the redesigned Lexus GS 430 sedan arriving in North America in February 2005. The system, called Vehicle Dynamics Management, or VDM, employs what Toyota calls "active steering" to keep drivers from having to countersteer to correct a potential spin when the wheels lose their grip on slippery surfaces.
Previous Toyota stability control systems used the antilock braking and engine management systems to send power to wheels that still had traction. Some Lexus vehicles were equipped with active suspension systems that also were involved in the traction control system.
But while VDM still uses that basic technology, it also employs steer-by-wire software that automatically sends steering inputs to the wheels to keep the vehicle on track.
With VDM, the steer-by-wire system modifies the steering boost control. Instead of waiting for the vehicle to yaw, it starts modulating the steering as soon as a loss of traction is detected. In other words, it corrects for the skid before the driver would even notice the loss of traction, making countersteering unnecessary.
While such a system may seem counterintuitive to skilled drivers, Toyota research shows that nearly 40 percent of drivers involved in accidents took no action to avoid the accident.
"In many cases, the driver panics," said Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota senior managing director. "Accidents happen maybe one or two times in a lifetime, so we give supplemental help to the driver."
By MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News
TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. has unveiled its next generation traction control system, which will be deployed first in the redesigned Lexus GS 430 sedan arriving in North America in February 2005. The system, called Vehicle Dynamics Management, or VDM, employs what Toyota calls "active steering" to keep drivers from having to countersteer to correct a potential spin when the wheels lose their grip on slippery surfaces.
Previous Toyota stability control systems used the antilock braking and engine management systems to send power to wheels that still had traction. Some Lexus vehicles were equipped with active suspension systems that also were involved in the traction control system.
But while VDM still uses that basic technology, it also employs steer-by-wire software that automatically sends steering inputs to the wheels to keep the vehicle on track.
With VDM, the steer-by-wire system modifies the steering boost control. Instead of waiting for the vehicle to yaw, it starts modulating the steering as soon as a loss of traction is detected. In other words, it corrects for the skid before the driver would even notice the loss of traction, making countersteering unnecessary.
While such a system may seem counterintuitive to skilled drivers, Toyota research shows that nearly 40 percent of drivers involved in accidents took no action to avoid the accident.
"In many cases, the driver panics," said Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota senior managing director. "Accidents happen maybe one or two times in a lifetime, so we give supplemental help to the driver."
