Japanese microchip maker NEC began sales of image detection processors for cars on Friday, saying it aims for a 40 percent share of the global market by 2015.

The processors will be used in Toyota Motor Corp.'s flagship Lexus LS460 model, set to go on sale this fall.

NEC Electronics hopes the device will become the de facto standard in image detection within nine years, when it projects annual sales of 20 billion yen ($170 million).

The processor can differentiate vehicles, pedestrians and lane markers, and auto makers can use the device in safety mechanisms to prevent collisions, Yoshirou Miyaji, NEC Electronics general manager of auto systems, told reporters.

In 2010, 4 million cars are expected to have image detection processors in place, with the market growing to 8.6 million cars in 2012 and 18 million cars in 2015, Miyaji said.