A peek into the “Future Driverless Car”: Toyota’s Self-Driving Car

Follow 9News Nigeria On Social Media

A peek into the future with Toyota's Self-Driving Car
A peek into the future with Toyota's Self-Driving Car
Social sharing

The Future of Driving is (Not) in Your Hands

A future of driverless cars and increased mobility for all is no longer the stuff of science fiction — and Toyota is busy making sure it will become reality sooner rather than later.

Toyota is hard at work imagining what’s possible — and even what seems impossible — for our motoring future. It has challenged itself and the world to provide mobility for all, making sure everyone has the freedom to move and the ability to reach their potential; in fact, Toyota believes that movement is a human right.

As a leader in this space, Toyota is converting itself from an automobile company into a mobility company, seeking to create new ways to move and connect customers, whether it’s across the country, across town, or just across the room. Such a radical transformation is an integral part of the DNA of a company that originally built weaving looms, not cars. It was Kiichiro Toyoda, grandfather of today’s global president Akio, who decided to do what many thought impossible at the time — switch from building looms to building cars.

Technology is changing quickly and the race is on to develop self-driving cars that enable everyone — including seniors, people with a disability and the visually impaired — to enjoy safe mobility and the fun of driving. Billions of dollars are being pumped into development
of artificial intelligence and robotics to support the development of self-driving vehicles.

Almost every industry sector is involved — car makers, transport and related service providers, tech giants, policymakers and consumer advocates. The competitors no longer just make cars. Google, for example, already has a prototype car with no steering wheel, brake pedal or accelerator. Toyota understands the challenge such companies pose because, after all, Toyota itself didn’t start out by making cars either.

Three types of artificial intelligence will be critical to the success of this brave new world: advanced recognition and predictive decision-making functions, vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and technology for involving passengers, including the transfer of control between driver and vehicle.

Toyota is already testing vehicles that enable automated driving on highways from the entry-ramp all the way through to the exit-ramp. They use on-board technology — cameras, radars, laser sensors and software that merges all this data — to evaluate traffic conditions, make decisions and take actions. This includes merging onto or exiting highways, maintaining or changing lanes, and maintaining appropriate gaps between vehicles. Vehicles with these abilities are expected to be on sale before 2020.

Further development of artificial intelligence learning functions, aimed at achieving a higher level of autonomy, is expected to result in vehicles capable of automated driving on regular roads by the mid-2020s.

There are compelling advantages in support of autonomous vehicles: saving lives and money by reducing driver fatigue, eliminating human error, easing congestion, shortening commuting times, and providing greater access to mobility for everyone.

Another benefit could be lower cost of ownership. New technologies become cheaper through wider use, while cars may no longer require the expense and weight of features such as airbags, bumpers and crumple zones — making them cheaper, lighter, more fuel-efficient and perhaps longer lasting. While self-driving cars may mean fewer jobs for taxi, delivery, bus and truck drivers, they can also create opportunities. For example, driverless vehicles operating 24 hours a day will require more human maintenance.

However, legal issues must be resolved before allowing a driver to take their hands off the steering wheel. This level of automation is not legal anywhere, and it could be problematic in countries such as Australia, where laws are state-based. In addition, the tech community will have to collaborate with insurance providers and consumer advocates to address the challenges these vehicles will create.

Of course, there are many people who are not fans of the self-driving vehicles — they love their car and regard it as more than a means of transport. It provides autonomy, it’s an expression of their personality, and they value the experience of driving. Toyota also has that covered with vehicles like the Concept-i, a vision for a car that uses artificial intelligence to build a relationship with you, the driver. It can capture your state of mind and keep you engaged to reduce the risk factors of accidents. It understands what you like and what you want to do. It’s a vehicle you can love, and that can love you back.

While a society in which vehicles drive themselves sounds like fantasy, it’s no longer science fiction. We are now on the cusp of making the once-futuristic concept of autonomous driving a reality.

Leave your comment on this post

THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED OF APC & TINUBU'S GOVERNMENT OVER NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

WATCH THE CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND KNOW THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES TO BLAME FOR NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, WHILE CITIZENS ENDURE SEVERE HARDSHIPS.

Watch this episode of ISSUES IN THE NEWS on 9News Nigeria featuring Peter Obi's Special Adviser, Dr Katch Ononuju, 9News Nigeria Publisher, Obinna Ejianya and Tinubu Support Group Leader, McHezekiah Eherechi

The economic crisis and hardship in Nigeria are parts of the discussion.


Watch, leave your comments, and share to create more awareness on this issue.


#9NewsNigeria #Nigeria #issuesInTheNews #politics #tinubu THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED ...
DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS FOR SUBSEQUENT UPDATES
#9newsnigeria #economia #economy #nigeria #government @9newsng
www.9newsng.com

Leave your comment

Click on the link below or Scan the QR Code to join the 9News Nigeria WhatsApp Channel

9News Nigeria Investigative Reports WhatsApp Channel
9News Nigeria Investigative Reports WhatsApp Channel
About 9News Nigeria 13308 Articles
9News Nigeria is Nigeria's favourite news source. For Authentic, Unbiased News on Politics, Business, Sports, Technology, Entertainment and Lifestyles, Health, Nollywood, Crime and Investigations, Family and Relationships, Inspirations .. and much more. For Latest News from Africa and around the world, 9News Nigeria is your best source. WhatsApp +2348115805632 Email: info@9newsng.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/9NewsNG | Twitter/Instagram: @9newsng

Be the first to comment

Leave your comment