Toyota announced today that it has developed a new driving simulator which it will use to analyze “the driving characteristics of average drivers to aid in the development” of new safety technology to reduce the number of accidents. The announcement follows the auto industry’s trend of developing accident-avoidance technology rather than just focusing on the safety of the car itself.
The 7.1 meter wide dome — which contains a Lexus IS for simulation purposes — features a giant 360-degree concave video screen, moves in all directions and even uses sound effects, giving the sensation of driving.
According to Toyota, the driving simulator will be used to analyze “driving characteristics under such conditions as reduced awareness of one’s surroundings (falling asleep at the wheel and drowsiness), inattentiveness to danger (glancing from side to side and not checking that the road is safe), impaired driving (inebriation, fatigue or illness), as well as developing active safety technology for effectively reducing the number of accidents.”
11/26, 4:58 PM
posted by:
MY Si
ummm…. yeah…. Coming soon to a PS3 near you.
11/26, 5:01 PM
posted by:
LP640
Tired of Gran Turismo??? Constantly getting RSI??? Head down to Toyota
11/26, 5:05 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Yay! More electronic nanny systems for idiot drivers to rely on rather than use any perceptual skills whatsoever! Go Toyota!
11/26, 5:22 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
Does this thing have a ‘cell phone’ simulator?
11/26, 5:32 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I thought driving sensation and Toyota were mutually exclusive.
11/26, 5:36 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
I thought driving sensation and Toyota were mutually exclusive.
Comment by johnnycanuck
——————-
ZING!
11/26, 6:00 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
… or maybe they need to wire an electocardiogram to a toaster in the passenger’s seat to see if it registers any more of a pulse than the driver.
11/26, 6:33 PM
posted by:
jonmiles
lol @ johnnycanuck
I need one of these in my basement…
11/26, 7:16 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
There’s nothing to ****ing study. People just have to pay attention, put the cell down, and think a little. Too much to ask of the general public though, right?
11/26, 7:23 PM
posted by:
droppedgmc02
Come on toyota. Why don’t you put this effort into designing cars and trucks instead of more boring buttons that don’t do anything special. Lets see you put that effort into a sports car.
11/26, 8:59 PM
posted by:
A4
whenever i see people on their cellphones i lay on the horn, its illegal in this state, so why not
11/26, 9:02 PM
posted by:
Ian
Ok so let me get this straight. I can pretend to drive while drunk…On their tab. Yes Toyota I would love to get drun… I mean sign up for your “study.”
11/26, 9:14 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Toyota invention my äss. I’ve ridden a Coney Island version of this at the mall.
11/26, 10:02 PM
posted by:
Catiadesigner
I just hope they don’t employ anyone from Michigan.
Without a shadow of a doubt the worst drivers I have ever seen, including India.
Absolutely no road sense at all, no lane discipline whatsoever, and about as much sense of direction as a drunk myopic earthworm.
The four lane sweep about twenty yards before the exit they want is a daily event.
11/26, 10:25 PM
posted by:
N_yo_face
leave it to the orientals. hopefully they build this research device in the land of the rising sun where they can test it on worst-case drivers.
11/26, 10:36 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
A Toyota driving simulator? That’s easy. Take a handful of painkillers, chase it with some Everclear, then lock yourself in a sensory depravation chamber. You’ll be amazed just how much it will feel like a Matrix or Corolla.
11/26, 10:42 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
global_lightning: whoa, if I had a dime for everytime that’s happened…
11/26, 11:58 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
You know what Toyotas really need? A heartbeat sensor on the steering wheel (like the ones on stationary bikes or treadmills). That way when you die of boredom the car’s autopilot system will come to a safe stop, the the auto-incinerating seat will cremate you then the A/C goes in reverse and scatters your ashes to the wind. Toyota’s new slogan: “Dull Cars for Dull People”
11/27, 12:09 AM
posted by:
Bull09
Keep moving forward :’(
11/27, 3:56 AM
posted by:
Got Handling?
Toyota can do no right for you people. Here they are developing alternatives to the ever-heavier safety equipment in cars and they get nothing but criticism. I’m glad to see automakers trying to avoid their cars being involved in accidents, rather than building bigger and bigger rolling fortresses which are a serious threat to anyone driving anything a generation older.
11/27, 8:06 AM
posted by:
pbwe
Got handling? ….. Now lets try and simulate a controlled defensive swerve lane change at 75 mph over an uneven pavement surface! Wait for it. Heads up kiddies! Here it comes!
11/27, 8:38 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Got Handling: Yea, that’s what I want. A car that tries to do the “preventing” for me. BEEP BEEP BEEP SOMEONE IS BEHIND YOU. Shut up, I’m not blind. BEEP BEEP BEEP YOU ARE 0.000001CM OUT OF THE CENTER OF YOUR LANE. Shut up!. BEEP BEEP BEEP I DETECT THAT YOU ARE ONLY 98% AWARE. YOU ARE TOO TIRED TO DRIVE. SHUTTING DOWN. Arrrrrgghhhhhhh!!!
11/27, 9:12 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
Perfect for the average Camry buyer. A car that will correct all of your stupid mistakes. Just like an appliance. Coffee makers that shut themselves off if you forget to, refrigerators that beep if a door is left open, and Toyotas to warn you if you’re not driving within their acceptable parameters.
11/27, 9:58 AM
posted by:
lucklaster
Is this the new chic-mobile from Toy?
11/27, 2:16 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
rather than building bigger and bigger rolling fortresses which are a serious threat to anyone driving anything a generation older.
Comment by Got Handling?, posted on November27 at 3:56 am
.
you mean like the tundra and sequoia?
11/27, 2:17 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
anyways keep up the hilarious comments guys, mabey they can have the honda robot take the first test drive.
11/27, 6:46 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
johnnyc: One of the area toyota dealers’ on-hold propaganda mentions the yaris and its “exhilaratingly powerful 1.8-liter engine.”
zO6IFIZ06ified: If the car corrected ALL the owners’ mistakes, wouldn’t it then drive itself back to the dealership and strong-arm her money back?
A4: the pigs should snatch cell-phone drivers out and treat ‘em like Kings. Park, then talk, OK Mindy and Bobby?
good stuff, global