Toyota Motor Corporation wants to build a bond with its driver through its new “LQ”, a concept vehicle that uses advanced technology.
Toyota Research Institute has partnered with Yui and LQ to build this new technology that will ensure Toyota’s belief that their relationship with the drivers goes beyond the scope of machines and technology.
Toyota is aiming at building a mobility experience to build a relationship between vehicle and driver by learning from and responding to individual preferences and needs. LQ will be on public display at the “Future Expo“, a special exhibition of the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.
LQ features an on-board artificial intelligence agent named “Yui“. It will store and analyze the driver’s emotional state and alertness to create a pattern so that it can provide a personalized mobility experience to its drivers.
For providing a better driving experience combined with safe driving, the AI will engage with the driver in interactive voice communication, and in-seat functions will increase the alertness or reduce stress.
Yui can also select and play music based on the driving environment and provide real-time information on topics based on the interest of the driver.
JTB Corporation, AWA Co., Ltd., NTT DoCoMo. Inc. have extended their hands to Toyota in helping them to develop and implement the new Yui.
Some features of the new Yui include SAE Level 4 automated driving function, automated valet parking system, AR Heads Up display, and much more. With the help of the automated valet parking system, the driver does not need to physically look for a space to park, and also improves accessibility for those with mobility issues.
An in-vehicle system uses multiple cameras, sonar, and radar, 2D road mapping, cameras installed in the parking lot and a control center to accurately look for a parking space and for smart parking facilities.
The Head’s Up Display reduces driver eye movement and increasing the possibility of safe driving. Driving information will be laid out on the windshield in a simple manner to keep the driver focused on the road.
The multiple inflatable air bladders embedded into the seat with an in-seat air conditioning system keep the driver awake or relaxed while driving. The air bladder inflates when the system detects that the driver is tired and directs cool air from the ventilation system located in the seat.
When relaxed, the air bladder inflates and contracts to encourage abdominal breathing. A Digital Micromirror Device installed in the headlights can inform people, both sitting inside the car and outside, about various things such as road conditions.
LQ’s dashboard and meters are displayed using Organic LEDs. Toyota’s air purification system will cause the ozone near the ground surface to decompose reducing harmful emissions from a car.
Test driving will begin in June and will continue till September in 2020 in Tokyo.
