Toyota to show off autonomous driving prototype P4 at 2019 CES

ABU DHABI: This year’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is something that we all are eagerly waiting for. And Toyota has added another reason to do just that. The company’s artificial intelligence division, Toyota Research Institute (TRI) will be showing off the new autonomous driving prototype, P4 at the CES which starts on 8th of January. According to the company, the new prototype P4 is based on the Lexus LS 500h. What this means is that it will use the latest chassis and steering control technology from Lexus. Hence, expect smoother experience, improved agility and impeccable manoeuvring during your autonomous rides.

The P4 will be equipped with two cameras on the sides for improved surround view in addition to an imaging sensor at the front as well as at the rear. The sensors fitted on the car feature new chip technology for enhanced dynamic range. To detect close-range objects precisely and provide a better field of view, Toyota has also optimized the radar system. The 8 scanning LIDAR heads remain to be the part of the prototype, just like its predecessor.

The computing power on the new P4 has been increased substantially thanks to the LS’ hybrid battery that supplies power to the computing system while the 12-V battery remains as a backup. This means that now the car can respond quickly to the surrounding environment. Also, different machine learning algorithms can run simultaneously for better results and faster learning. The computer box, which is also regarded as the brain of the autonomous vehicle, is placed in the boot aligned vertically with the rear seats. The entire boot floor is free to store items, luggage and other stuff. In the case of a circuit checkup or maintenance, the system can simply be folded down for easy access.

The P4 will also be used to develop Toyota’s Guardian system for partial driving assistance and Chauffeur system for full autonomy. Ryan Eustice, the senior vice president of automated driving at TRI said, “Our Chauffeur development is focused on full autonomy, where the human is essentially removed from the driving equation, either completely in all environments, or within a restricted driving domain. Guardian, on the other hand, is being designed to amplify human performance behind the wheel, not replace it.”

The integration of different components is taken care of by the company’s American design studio, Calty Design Research whose senior lead designer, Scott Roller said, “We took a holistic approach to integrate autonomous componentry into the design of the new LS. The result is a fluid surface embracing advanced technology loosely inspired by science fiction in the graphic separations between form and function.”