What is this and when was it added?

[Dianna]

I searched, so apologies if it has already been discussed, but what is the purpose of this? The only thing I can think of is that it is for parking sonar.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Part of the safety sense package added in 2021. That detects obstacles in front of the vehicle and is used for radar cruise. Most all new vehicles have something similar now.

 

[flyrv9]

Part of the TSS (Toyota Safety Sense) system as Whippersnapper02 mentioned. Included are the adaptive cruise control and automatic braking. Some don't like the placement as it could interfere with add on equipment like a winch etc.

 

[PretzelCann0n]

Part of the safety sense package added in 2021. That detects obstacles in front of the vehicle and is used for radar cruise. Most all new vehicles have something similar now.

2020 was the first year it was added.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

2020 was the first year it was added.

Maybe I'm thinking LEDs then. My 19 has none of this.

 

[PretzelCann0n]

Maybe I'm thinking LEDs then. My 19 has none of this.

Yup, exactly. My '20 has the TSS stuff and new head unit along with the shitty halogens.

 

[flyrv9]

I wonder how durable that sensor plate is going to be in regards to occasional rocks, debris and bugs we all encounter in regular driving. Will it work ok when covered with snow, mud or dirt? What will it cost to replace? - can't be cheap. It just seems like bad placement to me and perhaps not the best idea anyway.

 

[flyrv9]

I wonder how durable that sensor plate is going to be in regards to occasional rocks, debris and bugs we all encounter in regular driving. Will it work ok when covered with snow, mud or dirt? What will it cost to replace? - can't be cheap. It just seems like bad placement to me and perhaps not the best idea anyway.

Are people so inattentive these days that they need vehicle systems to take over for them when they need to stop or drift out of their lane - really? What happens when these systems get a few years on them and start to fail? I guess the lawyers will figure it out!

 

[Humble Leader]

lol I thought it was to mount the front license plate

 

[somenoise]

I wonder how durable that sensor plate is going to be in regards to occasional rocks, debris and bugs we all encounter in regular driving. Will it work ok when covered with snow, mud or dirt? What will it cost to replace? - can't be cheap. It just seems like bad placement to me and perhaps not the best idea anyway.

It's pretty solid, so no issues so far with rocks/debris/bugs. Caked on dirt and mud has deactivated the safety features but since I've been on trails when this happens never bothered me and simply wiped clean with my hand when getting back on the pavement.

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW - I believe that is a 1mm wavelength radar sensor unit. What's a bit unusual is that it's really big. So maybe it does something more that isn't obvious. Or there's a group of radar units in it? Not sure. Normally the front radar fits within the emblem. So I'm not sure why it's so big.

 

[harper7]

FWIW - I believe that is a 1mm wavelength radar sensor unit. What's a bit unusual is that it's really big. So maybe it does something more that isn't obvious. Or there's a group of radar units in it? Not sure. Normally the front radar fits within the emblem. So I'm not sure why it's so big.

It's the same radar sensor used on most or all the Toyotas(A2C740034) and just sits behind a big cover. Maybe because of the Pro is why they didn't put it behind the emblem like the rest.

I'm glad they didn't put it behind our emblem as it would have been harder to retrofit the heritage grill.

Here is a pic showing the backside and you can see how that front panel is clipped on. Mine has the camera and is what that top harness goes to.

 

[Chrisw023]

Are people so inattentive these days that they need vehicle systems to take over for them when they need to stop or drift out of their lane - really? What happens when these systems get a few years on them and start to fail? I guess the lawyers will figure it out!

I will say adaptive cruise control has been very nice when do 600+ miles a day.

 

[jp.vegas]

I will say adaptive cruise control has been very nice when do 600+ miles a day.

I can do without the nannie’s, but I absolutely love the radar cruise.

 

[RobS10]

I can do without the nannie’s, but I absolutely love the radar cruise.

Nice thing is all the Nannies can be turned off if you don't like them. My guess is they are all added because #1. They're mandated my the Government, #2. they are going to be mandated by the Government, #3. Family Friendly features sell more cars

 

[epjfsa]

Nice thing is all the Nannies can be turned off if you don't like them. My guess is they are all added because #1. They're mandated my the Government, #2. they are going to be mandated by the Government, #3. Family Friendly features sell more cars

1. They aren't mandated by the government. Automakers voluntarily agreed to install the tech.
2. See #1. Why would they mandate it when the industry collectively agreed to install the technology?
3. Yes. It's remarkably effective in reducing the number and severity of crashes which is having a positive impact on safety and insurance rates. Why in the world do you all act like this a bad thing.

Forward collision warning has been around for decades, and automatic emergency braking for over 15 years. This isn't new tech.

 

[RobS10]

1. They aren't mandated by the government. Automakers voluntarily agreed to install the tech.
2. See #1. Why would they mandate it when the industry collectively agreed to install the technology?
3. Yes. It's remarkably effective in reducing the number and severity of crashes which is having a positive impact on safety and insurance rates. Why in the world do you all act like this a bad thing.

Forward collision warning has been around for decades, and automatic emergency braking for over 15 years. This isn't new tech.

Thought I'd read some of these are now mandated, but my bad . I think manufacturers also want their Crash Test ratings as high as possible for potential buyers peace of mind, and Insurance savings for owners.
I am not saying these safety features are bad at all, I actually started looking at 2020+ vehicles just to GET TSS as the older I get, and the more crazy drivers there are out there, the more safety features, the better, unless they're intrusive or unreliable.

 

[somenoise]

1. They aren't mandated by the government. Automakers voluntarily agreed to install the tech.
2. See #1. Why would they mandate it when the industry collectively agreed to install the technology?
3. Yes. It's remarkably effective in reducing the number and severity of crashes which is having a positive impact on safety and insurance rates. Why in the world do you all act like this a bad thing.

Forward collision warning has been around for decades, and automatic emergency braking for over 15 years. This isn't new tech.

Forward collision has been mandated in the EU for a while now. As of September this year all vehicles in US will have it based on an agreement between the federal government and the US auto manufacturers association. Usually "agreement" is short for "if you don't promise to implement it however way you choose, then we'll mandate it and create detailed requirements," so pretty much not a mandate in name only. It's an easy choice since the features are popular selling points and if they already had to R&D it for another major market so why not add here too and keep the government from breathing down your neck.

 

[Sempre Nissart]

Love using radar cruise control. It really helps on long road trip.

If I could add anything, I wish it didnt disable under 25mph and it had auto lane centering.

My wife's car can go to a complete stop and back up to speed again. She also has auto lane centering. It feels a lot better and easier to drive in heavy traffic.