Toyota recently began researching the opportunities and challenges of autonomous and connected vehicle technologies, after completing a five-year auto safety research study.
The research, part of Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC), was announced in 2014.
“The launch of CSRC Next reflects Toyota’s understanding of the importance of human interaction with emerging and advanced vehicle technologies,” Chuck Gulash, director of CSRC, said. “These highly advanced systems are radically reshaping the transportation landscape, building a relationship between drivers, occupants and vehicles as teammates working together safely and conveniently. We are excited to continue our safety mission by helping to support a safe evolution to a broader mobility future.”
Through 2021, $35 million will be directed to four areas: to study the integration of active and passive safety systems, to create technology that improves and strengthens the driver-vehicle relationship, to improve mobility using metrics for physiology and health, and to study naturalistic driving data.
As part of the research, eight projects will be conducted in partnership with six universities including Virginia Tech and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
CSRC also will be working with Toyota Connected and the Toyota Research Institute.
CSRC was launched in 2011 with the goal of reducing traffic casualties. It works in conjunction with North American research institutions, hospitals, and universities.