You can keep enjoying the feeling of being in control behind the wheel of a Toyota vehicle for as long as you want. While most automakers are focusing their efforts on creating a completely autonomous vehicle, Toyota is taking a different approach. Designers are creating two types of autonomous models; one will be completely autonomous while the other will be semi-autonomous and step in whenever necessary, letting a human still remain in control most of the time.
Reasons for an Autonomous Safety System
The logic behind creating an autonomous “guardian angel” makes perfect sense. Toyota realized that we are much closer to this type of semi-autonomous system than a completely autonomous one. The system would let you drive like normal but take over if necessary for safety reasons. This is essentially a more in-depth and technologically advanced version of the advanced safety and driver-assistive systems that are already in place. As such, it should take less time to develop and can help dramatically limit the number of annual deaths from driving collisions in the near future.
Still a Place for Autonomy
Instead of just focusing on one type of autonomous driving system, Toyota plans to work on both the semi-autonomous guardian angel and the same type of truly autonomous vehicle that other automakers and tech companies are working on developing. This type of system can be incredibly helpful to the elderly or those with disabilities and will make life more convenient for all drivers.
Toyota will be working on the autonomous systems separately. A new lab near Ann Arbor’s University of Michigan will be focusing on developing full autonomy. The guardian angel system will be pursued in Palo Alto, California.
Although you still have to wait to drive an autonomous Toyota or one with the guardian angel system, you can find a vehicle with advanced safety features, like those in Toyota’s Safety Sense and Safety Sense-P. The team at Thomasville Toyota in Thomasville, Georgia, will gladly go through the Toyota lineup so you can find the vehicle that has the right safety features for you.
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