Toyota and NTT collaborate to create zero traffic accident society

Toyota Motor Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation have announced a pioneering collaboration aimed at advancing mobility and AI/telecommunications to create a society with zero traffic accidents. This joint initiative seeks to merge automotive and telecommunications technologies to enhance road safety, an objective reflecting the companies’ shared commitment to societal advancement through technological innovation.

The essence of this collaboration is the development of the “Mobility AI Platform”, a sophisticated integration of communication, AI, and computing technologies. Toyota is dedicated to developing Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) that prioritise safety and security. As these vehicles advance, the necessity for a robust infrastructure mix—encompassing high-speed communication, AI processing, and comprehensive computing—becomes paramount. In this context, NTT leverages its expertise in telecommunications to enhance the platform’s capabilities, enabling the seamless connection between people, vehicles, and road systems.

Toyota and NTT envision the Mobility AI Platform as a cornerstone in preventing accidents, particularly at complex junctions such as blind intersections. The initiative also focuses on the development of advanced driving support and automated driving systems. These systems will utilise data-driven methodologies where AI evolves through analysing vast datasets from actual driving scenarios, improving its predictive and adaptive capabilities.

The success of the Mobility AI Platform largely depends on three core infrastructures: distributed computing, intelligent communication, and AI learning; all intended to foster a sustainable, energy-efficient, and seamlessly connected transportation environment. The distributed computing infrastructure will rely on data centres strategically located in regions with abundant renewable energy sources, promoting localised energy consumption. These centres will enhance the efficiency and sustainability of data processing needed to power the AI systems.

The intelligent communication infrastructure will ensure the reliable and low-latency transmission of data across diverse environments, including urban, rural, and suburban areas. This is essential for coordinating human mobility infrastructure and maintaining the seamless flow of information between vehicles and the road network. The AI infrastructure will draw insights from a multitude of data points, thanks to the underlying distributed computing and communication networks.

This initiative represents a substantial financial commitment, with Toyota and NTT planning to invest a combined total of 500 billion yen by 2030. Development of the Mobility AI Platform is set to commence in 2025, with implementation and a collaborative push with external partners expected by 2028. The companies anticipate broad adoption of these advancements by 2030, marking a significant stride towards a safer, interconnected society. Through these efforts, Toyota and NTT underscore their dedication to fostering a transportation ecosystem that harmonises safety with innovative freedom.

Source: Noah Wire Services