Rear laser false

**malcolmman89** · 06-19-2008, 06:50 PM

Hi everyone,
Tonight I was out for a drive, and encountered my first rear laser alert.
I was in the right lane, and there was a Toyota Avalon behind me, but in the left lane. All of a sudden I get a laser alert, and there was no oncoming traffic at the time, but I looked in the mirror and see the Toyota. There was a car ahead of him and slightly ahead of me, so I figured the laser beam was reflecting off the car in front of us and into my detector, but that car turned off the road so it was just me and the Avalon, which was still behind me in the other lane. The alert went on continuously for about 7 or 8 seconds, until we went around a curve and the Toyota turned.

**cooljay** · 06-19-2008, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by malcolmman89

The alert went on continuously for about 7 or 8 seconds, until we went around a curve and the Toyota turned.

Can you guess what I'm about to say?

Yup the Toyota Avalon has Laser Cruise Control

The 2007 Toyota Avalon returns for 2007 with minimal changes. .....Options include a sound system upgrade, a DVD-based navigation system with voice controls, Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, and Toyota's Vehicle Stability Control system.

**malcolmman89** · 06-19-2008, 07:01 PM

Yeah, whenever I see a laser alert I always look around for a newer Avalon or Camry, although I know some of the Nissans/Infinitis have the same system.
My question to the makers of these cars: why on earth does the laser need to be on while you're driving in the city?
It's hard enough to drive around here without the use of cruise control

**jdong** · 06-19-2008, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by malcolmman89

Yeah, whenever I see a laser alert I always look around for a newer Avalon or Camry, although I know some of the Nissans/Infinitis have the same system.
My question to the makers of these cars: why on earth does the laser need to be on while you're driving in the city?
It's hard enough to drive around here without the use of cruise control

Well...

(1) Many of these systems periodically self-check or just stay in continuous operation but their output is ignored by the body computer unless you're cruising

(2) The whole point of adaptive cruise is to respond to changing traffic speed conditions

(3) Sometimes these systems are also used in collision warning / avoidance / preparation systems.

Not saying I agree particularly with any of these uses... but this is a form of LIDAR. The fact that LIDAR is virtually unlicensed is a curse and a blessing. It allows us to make jammers but it also lets anyone put onto the market a new LIDAR-based product without a worry.