At this point, the modified Lexus concept is only capable of going into autonomous mode on Tokyo expressways.
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Last month, Google generated a new round of attention for its self-driving vehicle when it appointed former Hyundai US chief John Krafcik as CEO of the project.
It’s not only tech companies – automakers old and new are developing self-driving cars too.
Google is already runnings its autonomous cars on the open road in the USA, so Toyota will have a few catching up to do.
Building on the company’s preference for a ‘co-pilot’ style of autonomous driving, Highway Teammate is created to operate as part of a wider system that includes human control and an intelligent transportation communications infrastructure that is slowly being rolled out across participating areas of Japan. The auto can indicate on its center screen as well as play an audio message when it wants the driver to take over if other vehicles aren’t letting it merge.
According to Toyota, the auto is able to recognize nearby vehicles and potential road hazards, and it will automatically make appropriate lane changes.
At the moment, Toyota’s Highway Teammate system is still very much in its early stages. One of these three is the new Prius hybrid, revealed in September and due on sale in early 2016.
With the FCV Plus Concept, Toyota is fast-forwarding to a future where hydrogen fuel cell cars will be as common as vehicles powered by internal combustion engines are today.
Toyota has recently put $50m (approximatey £32m) towards extra funding for artificial intelligence research, along with hiring Gill Pratt, a top robotics expert from the United States defence department’s research arm.
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The joint analysis with Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will happen over the subsequent 5 years, Toyota Motor Corporation stated. Between now and then, expect more steps toward self-driving cars from Toyota – and its rivals.
