Toyota Defines Future of Mobility with Concept Car "TOYOTA Concept-i" Series Debuting at Tokyo Motor Show 2017
October 16 2017 - 1:25AM
JCN Newswire (English)
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) today announced an outline of
the concept car "TOYOTA Concept-i" series that embodies the future
vision of a mobility society through which artificial intelligence
(AI) enables cars to understand the driver, effectively allowing
people and cars to become partners.
In addition to the four-wheel model TOYOTA Concept-i exhibited at
the 2017 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January
this year, a universal small mobility vehicle and a walking area
mobility vehicle have been added to the TOYOTA Concept-i series.
They are expected to be exhibited under the theme of "Let's move
the world from here. Beyond the Motor" at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show
2017, which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight for 12 days1 from
October 25 through November 5.
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TOYOTA Concept-i series
Toyota has infused each era with irreplaceable excitement such as
"freedom and joy of mobility" based on the idea that cars are among
the manufactured goods that are preceded by the word "beloved." The
TOYOTA Concept-i series aims to become a "beloved car" of a new era
guided by the concept of "more than a machine, a partner" to better
understand the driver and grow together with the driver as an
irreplaceable partner.
The core technology common to the TOYOTA Concept-i series is a
technology that understands people (LEARN), applying AI to
recognize emotions and estimate driver preferences. The technology
that understands people (LEARN) and automated driving technology
combine to lead the driver to safety and provide peace of mind
(PROTECT). In addition, by combining the technology with the agent
technology, it will be possible to advance technology to the point
that the driver's feelings can be anticipated, leading to new Fun
to Drive experiences (INSPIRE).
The core value provided by the TOYOTA Concept-i series
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In order to provide new experiences and excitements to more people
based on the idea of "freedom and pleasure of mobility for all," a
universal small mobility vehicle has been added to the TOYOTA
Concept-i series so that anyone can have freedom of mobility,
including wheelchair users and the elderly. Additionally, a
pedestrian zone mobility vehicle has been added to the series to
enable free movement in the same space as pedestrians.
The AI Agent, which understands people, is able to disengage and
re-engage with the driver across the vehicles in the series,
thereby supporting seamless mobility and being together with the
driver to achieve safe and fun mobility.
TOYOTA Concept-I
- A four-wheel model representing the TOYOTA Concept-i series,
using artificial intelligence, and as a partner that understands
people, this vehicle aims to become a "beloved car" of a new
era.
- It combines technology that understands people (LEARN) with
automated driving and agent technology, and provides drivers with
safety and peace of mind (PROTECT), and new Fun to Drive
experiences (INSPIRE) to enrich the enjoyment of moving.
- A cabin with a forward projecting futuristic silhouette and an
advanced HMI2, as well as interactions with the Agent, achieves a
new user experience.
- Toyota plans to conduct road tests of vehicles equipped with some
of the concept car's functions in Japan by around 2020.
Technology that understands people (LEARN)
Concept-i estimates emotion and level of alertness by reading the
driver's expressions, actions, and tone of voice in a complex
manner. It compares general information such as news on the web
with information on individuals such as social media activity, GPS
information, and conversation history in the car, and estimates the
driver's preferences based on re-occurring topics that arise.
Technologies such as deep learning are used for the technology that
understands people (LEARN), such as measuring emotions and
estimating preferences. Based on this technology, the TOYOTA
Concept-i series provides value innovation in the areas of safety
and peace of mind (PROTECT) and new Fun to Drive experiences
(INSPIRE).
Safety and peace of mind (PROTECT) "Learning about people" x
automated driving technology
In addition to the car's external conditions, Concept-i estimates
the driver's condition using technology that understands people,
and monitors the reliability of the driver and the car. For
example, if the car's reliability is high and car support is deemed
necessary, such as a situation in which the driver is overcome by a
dangerous or high-stress situation, Concept-i switches to automated
driving. Based on Toyota's "Mobility Teammate Concept" for
automated driving, which aims to both watch over and assist drivers
as needed, Concept-i guides with safety and peace of mind.
Furthermore, it supports the driver by stimulating the five senses,
including vision, touch, and smell depending on the driver's
emotion, degree of fatigue, and level of alertness to rouse drivers
into an alert state when they feel drowsy, and to help drivers
experiencing higher levels of stress feel more relaxed.
New Fun to Drive experiences (INSPIRE) "Learning about people" x
agent technology
Concept-i engages in conversation based on the emotions and
preferences of the driver. The car suggests topics of interest
based on the mood of the driver, achieving a completely new style
of two-way free conversation. In addition, it creates an "Emotion
Map" by periodically mapping the driver's emotion and GPS data. By
collecting data on individual emotions and using this information
as big data, the TOYOTA Concept-i series can deliver fresh
experiences by suggesting new, enjoyable routes as slight
detours.
The vehicle design comprises a cabin with a forward projecting
futuristic silhouette and a simple and open interior, and starting
from the Agent located at the center of the instrument panel, the
design theme flows from the inside out with seamless styling in
which the design of the instrument panel continues to the body
exterior. In addition, it provides a new user experience through
intuitive HMI interaction with the Agent using a 3D-HUD (head-up
display).
Toyota plans to have the TOYOTA Concept-i on the road by around
2020 and conduct road tests of vehicles equipped with some of the
concept car's functions from this exhibition in Japan.
TOYOTA Concept-i RIDE
- A small mobility vehicle that emphasizes universality based on
the concept of "user-friendly city mobility."
It features gull-wing doors, an electric universal sliding seat,
and a joystick, achieving user-friendly operation for wheelchair
users.
- The seat layout and automated driving functions make it possible
for anyone to drive safely and securely.
- Use with sharing services is also envisioned. By sharing with
more people, universal mobility is made easier to use.
Main Features
Universal specifications with usability for wheelchair users
The model features gull-wing doors that provide a large opening and
an electric seat that slides to the entrance, so that even
wheelchair users who feel uneasy when moving between the wheelchair
and the car can transfer easily. Also, the opening and closing of
the gull-wing door supports loading and unloading of the
wheelchair, and the operation of the seat has been designed so that
the wheelchair can be easily stored in the rear section.
In addition, a joystick is used, eliminating the steering wheel,
accelerator and brake pedals, and the vehicle size enables
wheelchair users to park and enter/exit a common parking space for
one vehicle, with emphasis placed on easy operation while driving,
and stopping or parking.
Moreover, the AI Agent, which is a feature of the TOYOTA Concept-i
series, is positioned on the large-size display of the instrument
panel and actively provides information that supports and enhances
outings, such as the provision of information on barrier-free
facilities.
Vehicles that provide safety and peace of mind
The driver's seat is positioned at the center when driving3. While
parking and stopping, driving assistance functions such as
automated parking and automated valet parking, are employed,
allowing anyone, including not only wheelchair users but also
elderly people, to drive safely with peace of mind.
Toyota also envisions the use of sharing services with the TOYOTA
Concept-i RIDE. By sharing with many people access to universal
mobility, which is currently accessible mainly on an individual
ownership basis, Toyota aims to provide convenient mobility that
can easily be used and accessed by anyone. The TOYOTA Concept-i
RIDE provides safe, convenient, and enjoyable movement even at
outside locations, using the AI Agent to disengage and re-engage
with the driver across the vehicles in the series, thereby being
together with the driver.
TOYOTA Concept-i WALK
- With its compact size fitting in with walking areas and automated
driving function, this mobility vehicle can increase the range of
movement with safety and peace of mind.
- Three wheels, a wheelbase variable mechanism, steering function,
and a low floor make it easy to use and does not necessitate the
use of specific clothing or footwear.
- Use via sharing services and such at sightseeing spots and other
locations is envisioned, providing support at outside
locations.
Main Features
Drive safely on sidewalks in a vehicle fitting in with walking
areas
It is possible to rotate on the spot within a length less than a
person's stride and width less than a person's shoulder width. It
is a compact vehicle taking up space equivalent to that of a
pedestrian while walking. It also understands the driver based on
conversation with the Agent and data obtained from sensors in the
handles and guides the driver to a safe state depending on the
situation. If the vehicle senses danger while driving, it will
actively warn the driver and automatically take avoidance measures.
Furthermore, three wheels and a wheelbase variable mechanism that
corresponds to speed are used, thus ensuring stability when
stopping and driving.
Easy for anyone to use
By using a steering function, riders do not need to operate the
TOYOTA Concept-i WALK by shifting their body weight, which enables
anyone to operate it easily. Thanks to the lowered floor, people
can get on and off easily and ride without being restricted by
their age, gender, or clothing, such as elderly people or women
wearing skirts.
With the TOYOTA Concept-i WALK, Toyota envisions sharing services
that take advantage of the characteristic of the "AI Agent" to
disengage and re-engage with the rider across the vehicles in the
series, thereby being together with the riders. The aim is for a
mobility vehicle that can be used as part of short distance
movement in coordination with other transportation facilities, such
as use at outside locations and when walking around sightseeing
spots.
(1) Tokyo Motor Show 2017 is to be held at Tokyo Big Sight in
Tokyo's waterfront area from October 25 through November 5, with
press days on October 25 and 26, a special-invitation day on
October 26, a preview day on October 27 and general-public days
from October 28 to November 5.
(2) Human Machine Interface. The name for methods, systems, and
software designed to facilitate communication between humans and
machines.
(3) When one person is riding.
Tokyo Motor Show 2017 website:
http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/tms2017/
About Toyota
Supported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation
(TSE:7203; NYSE:TM), has endeavored since its establishment in 1937
to serve society by creating better products. As of the end of
December 2013, Toyota conducts its business worldwide with 52
overseas manufacturing companies in 27 countries and regions.
Toyota's vehicles are sold in more than 170 countries and regions.
For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.
Source: Toyota
Contact:
Public Affairs Division
Global Communications Department
Toyota Motor Corporation
Tel: +81-3-3817-9926
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