Strengthening the Car-Driver Experience with the Concept-i

Jan 18, 2017

The Toyota Concept-i was recently revealed at CES 2017 and it proved to be Toyota’s take on the future. It features highly sophisticated interior and exterior graphics, lighting that glows from beneath the outer skin and a host of interesting and clever details, such as Yui. Much like Apple’s Siri, Yui was designed to strengthen the bond between driver and car by anticipating your needs and informing the car so that Concept-i can consider and execute that next action accordingly.

The belief behind the Concept-i is that cars are more than technology; they are about the experience of the people who use them. Therefore, Concept-i was built from the inside out, with a focus on making it immersive, energetic and, most importantly—approachable. Thanks to artificial intelligence, Toyota foresees an automotive future wherein cars can connect with their drivers. Thanks to Yui, Concept-i will enhance that relationship between car and driver.

The really fun part is that the car understands you. Through biometric sensors throughout the car, Concept-i can detect what you’re feeling, and the car’s Artificial Intelligence then analyzes that information. That’s when the automated features kick in. Let’s say, for example, that you’re feeling sad; the AI will analyze your emotion, make a recommendation and if necessary, take over and drive you safely to your destination. So safety and protection are a major benefit of this relationship.

We don’t know yet when this concept car will become a reality, but what we do know is that Toyota is headed into a future that is oriented towards making the car driving experience feel more like spending time with a friend, rather than simply going places.