Toyota leverages AI to produce safer drivers

Toyota is improving its active safety system through the Accelerated Concepts program. Led by the Toyota Research Institute (TRI), the program aims to provide high-level autonomy without losing driver engagement through research programs including the use of AI.

The team featured a self-drifting Toyota Supra

To showcase how TRI is approaching autonomy, an international media event at Thunderhill Raceway, Willows, California was held for journalists to experience the program’s research vehicles and simulators. 

The team uses data-driven machine-learning techniques to create models of human behavior. After all, the goal is still retain a high driver engagement despite the use of advanced autonomous systems. 

Members of the media got the chance to ride an autonomous self-drifting Toyota Supra, as well as a fully autonomous Lexus LC500 that can avoid obstacles while driving at a high speed. They also tested TRI’s research vehicle called the Global Research Innovative Platform (GRIP) - a custom-built platform equipped with four-wheel steering and in-wheel electronic motors. All these projects help the team to rapidly teach AI expert-level driving skills which it will eventually pass on to human students. 

A Lexus LC500 also graced the international media event

In line with the experimental vehicles, TRI also unveiled the Driving Sensei concept. As the name suggests, the system aims to teach people proper ways of driving with the use of AI. It is made possible through AI-driven instruction, AI-powered driver support, and the driving skills an AI accumulated through machine learning. 

“Safety is a top priority for Toyota,” said TRI CEO Gill Pratt. “Our human-centered approach is discovering better, safer ways for humans and AI to collaborate. We’re amplifying people by building models that predict drivers’ actions, developing AI that enhances driver performance.” 

“Can we save more lives by bringing automated vehicle technology to more people in more places and sooner?” asked TRI’s Human Interactive Driving Division Director Avinash Balachandran. “We think the answer is yes – by rethinking the way people and embodied technologies interact to create new experiences and value for our customers.”

Toyota aims to provide active safety with both high autonomy and high driver engagement

These research programs are part of the TRI’s Human Interactive Driving’s (HID) three research pillars – Human-Focused Learning, Driver/Vehicle Performance and Safety, and Shared Autonomy. We could see these systems applied to future models such as previewed by the likes of the FT-Se concept and EPU electric pickup concept. 

For now, the Japanese automaker is commercializing advanced driving-assistive tech with its Toyota Safety Sense, which is a SAE Level 2 autonomous driving system. It is available in PH-spec models such as the Fortuner and Camry. 

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