We’re just two days away from the kick off of the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and Toyota has announced what it plans to show off – an automated driving Lexus LS 500h. The TRI-P4 automated driving test vehicle will be used in the development of Toyota’s two automated driving systems: Guardian and Chauffeur.

Lexus LS 500h P4 Automated Driving Test Vehicle

“Our Chauffeur development is focused on full autonomy, where the human is essentially removed from the driving equation, either completely in all environments, or within a restricted driving domain,” said Ryan Eustice, senior vice president of automated driving at TRI. “Guardian, on the other hand, is being designed to amplify human performance behind the wheel, not replace it. The introduction of the new P4 platform will help us accelerate the development of both tracks when it joins our fleet this spring.”

Lexus LS 500h P4 Automated Driving Test Vehicle

Compared to its predecessor, the P4 prototype features two additional cameras on the sides to improve situational awareness and two new imaging sensors – one facing forward and one pointed to the rear. The radar system has been optimized to improve the field of view, while the LIDAR sensing system with eight scanning heads carries over from the previous test model.

Toyota says that the P4 is a smarter research vehicle than its predecessor, since it features greater computing power to help its systems operate more machine learning algorithms in parallel for faster learning.  It can process sensor inputs faster and react more quickly to the surrounding environment. The system now pulls its power from the vehicle’s hybrid battery with the 12v battery now serving only as a backup.