When Waze and an updated Google Maps were released to the public around two years ago, we didn’t know what we were getting. Suddenly, asking for directions and checking road maps turned into remnants of a bygone era. We were introduced to a world wherein everyone could contribute to you getting from point A to point B with complete traffic and police information. But the technology was flawed. It needed us to tell them (correctly, I might add) what to do. If we screw it up in any way, the precision of technology would crumble. What if we got rid of that dependence? What if our cars can do a better job at community-based information than the community?
At the International CES 2016 in Las Vegas, Toyota unveiled its efforts at automotive artificial intelligence and map generation that showed exactly where we are at making the perfect smart car.
Firstly, Toyota’s Research Institute revealed that they will be spending $1bn over five years in A.I. research. The company’s aim is to engineer the perfect car in terms of safety. Toyota wants to be incapable of causing a crash with their cars.
While the company kept relatively mum about preventive measures, they illustrated what advanced connectivity can do for road safety. The future technology will allow Toyota to detect when the airbags are activated. On detection, the company can then send emergency services to the car’s location. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen car status detection technology in action. But this is the first time it’s made the international scene.
To aid in connectivity development, Toyota has entered into an agreement with Ford to adopt the latter’s open-source smartphone interface software, SmartDeviceLink. Both companies cite a need to establish an industry standard, while allowing room for brand individualization. The software allows users to access their smartphone’s functions using voice technology in the vehicle. Its open-sourced nature will allow third-party apps and car companies to develop their own software tailored for specific vehicles. Apps like Spotify have already developed apps for vehicular use. The agreement also signals a potential future where the software will be adopted for use in other car brands worldwide.
Finally, Toyota demonstrated its advanced map generation software (seen above) which automates the process while driving. The high-precision technology will make use of both GPS and road data to provide an accurate, real-time map of road conditions. Cars will be equipped with cameras and will scan roads ahead of it for conditions. The information will be fed to data centers which will relay the information back to other drivers. The technology aims to make current GPS technology obsolete. Toyota aims an accuracy of 5cm. Its availability in vehicles of the near future is doubtful, but it’s a delectable taste of what car technology will look like in several years.
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