Lexus, Telstra trialling V2X communications in Victoria
The trials will run for two years, and involve a pair of RX 450h SUVS.
Lexus and Telstra are teaming up for a two-year connected vehicle trial in Victoria, as they seek to explore how the technology could help lower the road toll.
The tests will see a pair of tweaked Lexus RX 450h SUVs communicating with each other through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) tech, and infrastructure using vehicle-to-X (V2X).
Some of the connected technologies that'll be trialled include emergency electronic brake light, which warns drivers of other vehicles braking hard ahead, and in-vehicle speed warnings, which provides live data about changing speed limits to the driver.
The cars also support right-turn assist, designed to warn drivers if there are pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road at an intersection, and red-light violator warning – a system that notifies the driver if another connected car is likely to run a red ahead.
Curve speed warning offers advice on how fast you should go around a certain corner in adverse conditions, and slow/stopped vehicle warning alerts the driver to a potential rear-end collision up the road.
"The role of Lexus as an innovator and leader in the development of advanced safety and traffic-management technologies is central to our parent company's global vision to reduce traffic fatalities to zero," said Scott Thompson, Lexus Australia chief executive.
"It is significant that this ground-breaking trial involves our local Connected Vehicle Services department along with VicRoads, the Transport Accident Commission and Telstra."
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