Toyota to test self-driving, talking cars by about 2020

SB Technology

16/10/2017 10:57

TOKYO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp  7203.T  on 
Monday said it would begin testing self-driving electric cars 
around 2020, which will use artificial intelligence (AI) to 
engage with drivers, as the company competes with tech firms to 
develop new vehicles. 
    The car, whose concept model was unveiled earlier this year 
at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, will be able to 
converse with drivers, while building up knowledge of users' 
preferences, habits and emotions through deep learning, the 
company said.  
    "By using AI technology, we want to expand and enhance the 
driving experience, making cars an object of affection again," 
said Makoto Okabe, general manager of Toyota's EV business 
planning division. 
    Facing competition from rival automakers and tech companies 
to produce self-driving, intelligent cars, Toyota has committed 
$1 billion through 2020 to develop advanced automated driving 
and AI technology.    
    The Concept-i model, a battery-electric car which will have 
a cruising range of 300 kilometres (180 miles) on a single 
charge, will be able to estimate the emotions and alertness of 
drivers by reading their expressions, actions and tone of voice. 
    Using this information, the vehicle will be able to take 
over driving responsibilities when necessary -- after assessing 
the driver is too tired to drive safely, for example -- and also 
interact with the driver and passengers.  
    Facing a future where car ownership may be overtaken by new 
mobility services, automakers are ramping up investment to 
develop AI capabilities to enhance the driving experience. 
    Ford Motor Co  F.N  earlier this year invested $1 billion in 
Argo AI, a start-up set up by former employees of Uber 
Technologies' self-driving car development team, to develop an 
on-demand self-driving car service. General Motors Co  GM.N  has 
also been investing in AI start-ups.    
    Honda Motor Co  7267.T.  and Softbank Corp  9984.T  
announced last year that they were teaming up to use humanoid 
robotic technology in cars to enable them to communicate with 
drivers.  
     
 
 (Reporting by Naomi Tajitsu; Editing by Christian Schmollinger) 
 ((naomi.tajitsu@thomsonreuters.com; +81364411078; Reuters 
Messaging: naomi.tajitsu.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: TOYOTA STRATEGY/