Key facts
- Toyota plans to introduce self-driving technology in passenger vehicles by 2028.
- The automaker is developing a Level 2++ autonomous driving system.
- Toyota is collaborating with NTT to develop AI-powered autonomous driving software.
- The AI Vision Engine, a large-scale AI foundational vision language model, will be a core component for future systems.
- Toyota aims for wider adoption of autonomous driving technology by 2030.
Toyota Motor plans to introduce self-driving technology in passenger vehicles starting in 2028, with a goal for wider adoption by 2030. The automaker is developing its own Level 2++ system, which requires minimal driver input. This initiative involves a collaboration with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) to create AI-powered autonomous driving software designed to enhance safety and efficiency by analyzing driving data and predicting accident likelihood.
At a recent event for its Woven City mobility test ground, Toyota unveiled its AI Vision Engine, a large-scale AI foundational vision language model. This engine is built to identify patterns, detect potential risks, and coordinate actions across connected systems. It is intended to be a foundational element for Toyota's next-generation driver-assist systems and its Arene software platform for future vehicles.
Woven by Toyota, the automaker's software subsidiary, is developing the AI Vision Engine and an associated machine learning stack and ecosystem. This setup aims to create an 'active learning loop' that can extract and utilize data from millions of vehicles to continuously improve the AI models. Toyota intends to implement this software-defined vehicle platform incrementally, beginning with multimedia and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The company also sees potential applications for its AI Vision Engine beyond automotive use, in sectors like retail and airports.