Toyota reveals self-driving car Automaker will also exhibit a
Lexus car with advanced pre-crash safety systems Toyota revealed
details of its research into its self-driving cars Monday, just
ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas. The
automaker also showed off a Lexus research vehicle which is
equipped with devices that allow it to detect and automatically
respond to its surroundings. The car can drive, on its own,
through a fairly complex environment, without a person touching
the steering wheel or pedals. Toyota said the vehicle is aimed
at "the development of systems capable of enhancing the driver's
perception of his or her environment, assisting in the decision-
making process and improving overall driving skills." In other
words, the purpose of the car is to research technologies that
can help drivers avoid crashes and, perhaps someday, fully take
over the act of piloting the car. The car is equipped with,
among other things, a laser system that allows the car to see
objects all around it u