As technology becomes an integral part of our motoring lives, we are slowly being connected with our vehicles. We can now integrate our mobile devices, as well as connect to the outside world in a seamless manner. Moreover, we are gradually enabled to personalize our vehicles to suit our tastes and lifestyle.
Yet for all the high tech that is being offered, the sad reality is that most of these are cold and digital. Sure, our car can recognize our driving patterns. That’s pretty much it, though. But what if we could really interact with our car, wherein it can feel how we feel and help improve our well-being? Sound like science fiction? Toyota thinks it could actually happen.
The leading Japanese carmaker revealed the Concept-I at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, which aims to truly unite man and machine into one cohesive unit. The Toyota Concept-I’s exterior, for instance, is able to communicate things like road conditions and whether it is in autonomous or manual mode. This is to warn drivers of what to expect as they approach the vehicle to get in.
Then there is the cabin, which is designed to be a place of warmth and well-being. Not only are the shapes and shades soothing, but each aspect is designed to help drivers have a stress-free and truly energizing road trip. The pillars, for instance, are used to project blind spots, while changing footwell lighting hues let the driver know what mode the vehicle is in. To help keep drivers’ attention on the road, a next-gen heads-up display shows all the pertinent information at a glance.
At the heart of all this is Yui—the interactive representation of the vehicle’s “being”. It can easily adapt to any culture, sense occupant emotions, and do its bit to help improve their well-being. It can, for example, take over when it detects that the driver isn’t up to the task of handling driving duties. And it can play their favorite music, or suggest where they could go to feel better. It’s practically a friend on wheels, so to speak.
The Toyota Concept-I was designed by CALTY Design Research in Newport Beach, California, with inputs for user experience technology from Toyota Innovation Hub in San Francisco. It’s essentially crafted from the inside out, with the focus on providing a warm and friendly place on wheels.
Yes, our cars need not be cold and lifeless. Hopefully, all vehicles will be a place we can feel truly safe in, with a friendly vibe to boot.
