Toyota produces cars that 'understand the emotions' of drivers

For those who love their cars, there is a possibility that in the future the car will love its owner back.

At the Tokyo Motor Show scheduled to take place on October 28 in Japan, Toyota will introduce cars that use advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to help warn of dangers by "reading" the driver's emotions and increase safety for disabled drivers.

Currently, artificial intelligence is used to assist with reversing, parking or avoiding accidents, but Toyota believes that expanding this technology will help drivers interact directly with their cars.

The first cars of Toyota's Concept-i line. Photo: Toyota

One of Toyota's upcoming concept cars, dubbed Concept-I, will be equipped with cameras inside the car to read the driver's facial expressions, thereby analyzing when the driver is sleepy or anxious, and then giving appropriate responses.

For example, when the driver is yawning because of sleepiness, the car will make sounds or create a rocking motion in the seat to wake the driver up again.

In addition, the cars in the Concept-I line are also capable of switching to autonomous driving mode if it senses the driver is in a dangerous situation.

The car's AI system will also make some route suggestions based on analysis of the driver's social media, in-car chat history, and GPS data.

Concept-i Ride prototype for people with disabilities to move around in urban areas. Photo: Toyota

At the Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese automaker is expected to showcase two cars in the Concept-I line, including Concept-I Ride - a two-seat smart car designed for people with disabilities to move around the city.

The car has doors that open upwards, and will have no gas or brake pedals, but instead manual controls. It will also have self-driving and self-parking capabilities.

Another is the Concept-I Walk. It's like a mini car for one person, with the ability to drive itself or be driven by a human driver.

Design of the Concept-i Walk – the personal transportation vehicle of the future that Toyota is aiming for. Photo: Toyota

Toyota CEO Makoto Okabe said the company wants to turn the Concept-I models into a companion for the driver, not "just a machine".

The cars are expected to hit the market in 2020.

According to TTO/NY Daily News