Toyota Concept-i autonomous car showcased at CES 2017

Toyota's new autonomous vehicle, the Concept-i, has been revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show to demonstrate the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) in cars. Developed by Toyota’s California design centre, CALTY, Concept-i has been created to focus on user experience by using Toyota’s so-called kinetic warmth design philosophy.

The car’s AI system, named Yui, seamlessly adapts its services to the user’s preferences over time through machine learning, while also linking to the car’s location and connectivity features to offer area-specific facilities. Yui can communicate with users via spoken messages, lights and even touch- sensitive features.

Concept-i is first an autonomous electric car, but passengers can also switch the car into manual mode in certain circumstances. During manual operation too, the car will monitor the driver's attention and road conditions, and will provide automated assistance under dangerous conditions.

The car’s extensive use of glass has enabled designers to give the cabin a more airy feel. The cabin itself uses lighting and illuminated messages to provide passengers with information. Instead of a central display, the car employs projectors to show the information in the area it relates to. Blind spot alerts, for example, are shown on the car’s pillars.

Bob Carter, the company's senior vice president of automotive operations (US) said: “At Toyota we recognise that the important question isn’t whether future vehicles will be equipped with automated or connected technologies, it is the experience of the people who engage with those vehicles. Thanks to Concept-i and the power of artificial intelligence, we think the future is a vehicle that can engage with people in return.”