Toyota defines future of mobility
A family of three concept cars envisages a
world where cars understand people, applying
artificial intelligence (AI) to recognise emotions
and estimate driver preferences combined with
automated driving technology for maximum
safety.
The three vehicles - all with electric drivetrains -
were displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show.
They expand on the ideas presented with the
ground-breaking four-seat Concept-i. Revealed
at the International Consumer Electronics Show
in January, it was developed with a focus on
building an immersive user experience.
Toyota has now added the Concept-i RIDE, a
two-seat vehicle designed so that anyone can
have freedom of mobility, including wheelchair
users and the elderly.
Additionally, the Concept-i WALK - a
vehicle designed for using in areas used by
pedestrians - has been added to the series to
enable free movement on footpaths and other
walking areas.
All three concept cars feature the AI Agent - the
name given to the function that has the ability
to understand people.
It provides appropriate responses and actions
to a driver’s questions or requests using voice
recognition; anticipates the driver’s needs
by seamlessly monitoring and protecting the
driver; and actively initiates communication and
offers advice to the driver.
Toyota Concept-i is able to determine a driver’s
emotion and level of alertness by reading
expressions, actions and tone of voice.
It estimates the driver’s preferences by
comparing general information such as news
on the web with information on individuals such
as social media activity, GPS information, and
conversation history in the car.
Concept-i constantly monitors the driver’s
condition and the car, enabling it to switch to
automated driving if the driver is overcome by a
dangerous or high-stress situation.
It will stimulate the senses to rouse drivers into
an alert state when they feel drowsy, and help
them feel more relaxed at times of higher stress.
Its AI Agent technology engages in
conversation based on the emotions and
preferences of the driver. The car suggests
topics of interest based on the mood of the
driver, achieving a completely new style of two-
way conversation.
It also creates an “emotion map” by periodically
plotting the driver’s emotion and GPS data.
By collecting data on individual emotions and
using this information as big data, the Toyota
Concept-i series can deliver fresh experiences
by suggesting new, enjoyable routes as slight
detours.
The vehicle design projects a futuristic
silhouette and a simple and open interior
with the Agent located at the centre of the
instrument panel. It also provides a new user
experience through intuitive interaction with the
Agent using a 3D head-up display.
Toyota plans to conduct road tests of vehicles
equipped with some of the Concept-i functions
in Japan by around 2020. It has a range of
about 300km.
Toyota Concept-i RIDE features gull-wing
doors, an electric universal sliding seat and a
joystick to achieve user-friendly operation with
a range of 100-150km.
Opening and closing of the gull-wing door
supports loading and unloading of a wheelchair
while an electric seat slides to the entrance for
easy transfer between a wheelchair and the
car. The wheelchair can be easily stored in the
rear section.
A joystick eliminates steering wheel,
accelerator and brake pedals, making the
vehicle easy to use by almost anyone. The
compact vehicle size enables wheelchair users
to park in regular single-vehicle spaces.
The AI Agent actively provides information that
supports and enhances outings, such as the
location of barrier-free facilities.
The driver’s seat is positioned at the centre
when one person is driving. Toyota also
envisions this vehicle participating in ride-
sharing services.
Toyota Concept-i WALK is compact with a
cruising range of 10-20km, offering short-
distance movement such as between
sightseeing spots.
Three wheels, a wheelbase variable
mechanism and a steering function make it
possible to operate easily. It can rotate on the
spot and its low floor enables people to get on
and off easily.
Conversation with the Agent and data obtained
from sensors in the handles. If the vehicle
senses danger while moving, it will warn the
driver and take avoidance measures.
Toyota has outlined its vision for a future where cars and humans will work together as
partners to deliver the freedom and pleasure of mobility to as many people as possible.
Loadex Hire puts
Toyota Huski to work
A progressive earthmoving equipment hire company has commissioned its first Toyota
Huski skid-steer loader, to suit one of its long-standing clients.
Loadex Hire’s 650kg operating load Toyota
Huski 5SDK-8 has air-conditioning and a
general-purpose bucket.
It began work in June, in the Perth
metropolitan area.
Business development manager for Loadex
Hire, WA, Craig Warnes, said the switch in
brands to Toyota was prompted by a client
whose operator has been on Huski skid
steers for the last 20 years.
“The client had a Toyota Huski with very
high hours, but did not want to make any
new financial commitments, so for three
years they hired machines in from other
companies,” said Mr Warnes.
“With a new job coming up, I offered to
purchase the Huski to suit the client and they
jumped at the notion. In addition, they had a
very happy operator as he was back into a
machine he’s comfortable in.”
Craig Warnes said the new loader was
performing up to every expectation it is
designed for, with all the creature-comforts of
a enclosed and pressurised cabin with locally
designed & manufacture air conditioning to
suit the demanding environments of West
Australia .
“As a former operator of Huski skid steers, I
was very happy to see, after all these years,
Toyota still maintains a very high-quality
machine,” he said.
Area sales manager for Toyota Material
Handling’s Perth branch, Dan Rhodes,
delivered the Huski loader.
“Loadex Hire is a family owned and operated
business that has been hiring high-quality
earthmoving machinery to civil construction,
mining and agricultural industries in Western
Australia for more than 15 years,” Mr Rhodes
said.
“It has a network of location service support
facilities and specialises in hiring late-model
machines, equipped to meet current mine-site
safety requirements.”
Toyota’s popular Huski 5SDK-8 is one of a
comprehensive range of skid-steer loaders
from the compact 4SDK-4 to the powerful
5SDK-11. It has a 2.5-litre Toyota 1DZ diesel
engine delivering 39kW, a operating load of
650kg, , dumping height of 2190mm at a 45
degree dump angle and 275mm of ground
clearance.
The Huski 5SDK-8 comes with Toyota’s
Safety System and Multiple Safety Lockout
System as standard equipment.
TMH Torque
I
19
1800 425 438
TMH Torque
I
18
1800 425 438
