There’s still enough demand in the US to keep the large family sedan called the Sienna, which has been given a few facelifts for the 2025 model year. The latest head unit, which uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen, is also available here, and the latest equipment includes a cooler box and a built-in vacuum cleaner. The most significant innovation, however, is the advanced rear seat reminder system, standard on all models, which does more than ever to prevent children or pets from being left in the car.
The heart of ARSR is a 60 GHz radar that monitors movement in the second and third rows of seats – and it works reliably even in the dark, unlike camera-based motion sensors. If it detects movement after the driver’s door is opened and closed, as well as after it is closed, it flashes the hazard warning lights and repeats the door closing sound. If the driver does not respond, the horn sounds after about 90 seconds. So far, this is consistent with the usual rear seat monitoring system, and the innovation will come later – provided that the driver(s) have registered for the Safety Connect service within the Toyota app. After 4 minutes from the original alarm, the registered driver(s) will receive an SMS about the situation, and if there is no response, a phone call will be sent to their device after an additional two minutes. If the car is not locked, the traditional signals will not be sent, but the SMS and phone call will be sent. Toyota’s North American distributor promises to operate for at least 10 years until the system and 4G service are turned off.
The whole idea began when NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory used such radars to detect heartbeats and breathing under 10 meters of debris after the 2015 Nepal earthquake, thus helping rescue teams find a specific place to dig for survivors. Toyota’s advanced rear seat reminder system is the result of collaboration between several automakers and suppliers, and has been granted 40 patents in the process. However, they note that even this system cannot detect all children or animals left in the car, and that in any case it is the driver’s responsibility not to leave anyone in a parked car.
