Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) may be relatively slow to adapt to electrification but the Japanese automaker has been taking steps to make the shift. One of which is the company’s new generative artificial intelligence (AI) technique for designing cars.
Toyota is using a new AI technique to design its cars
The new technique is said to allow designers to add initial design sketches and engineering constraints into this process. Some of these constraints include drag and chassis dimensions like ride height and car dimensions. In turn, the design process reduces the need to reconcile design and engineering considerations.
“Generative AI tools are often used as inspiration for designers, but cannot handle the complex engineering and safety considerations that go into actual car design,” said Toyota Research Institute (TRI) Human Interactive Driving (HID) Division Director Avinash Balachandran.
With the new generative AI technique, the team gets parameters regarding the constraints to see how effective the design is. Reducing or optimizing drag is important in increasing the range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The new technique is also said to allow designers to request specific stylistic properties like sleek, SUV-like, and modern.
The new AI technique can help reduce drag
Currently, the Toyota bZ4X is the only electric vehicle (EV) in the brand’s lineup, which has a range of around 500 km.
In a recent technical briefing session, TMC BEV Factory President Takero Kato said the company is developing next-gen EVs capable of offering a range of up to 1,000 km. It wouldn’t be a surprise for the automaker to leverage the new AI design technique to maximize the range of future Toyota BEVs.
The next-gen EVs are slated to come out in 2026, along with next-gen fuel cells promised to be cheaper by 50 percent.
“Reducing drag is critical for improving the aerodynamics of BEVs to maximize their range,” said Kato-san.
Future Toyota BEVs will be designed with inputs from AI
Locally, the automaker has yet to make its BEV presence felt as Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) hasn’t brought the bZ4X just yet. But considering the EV has already made its way to Thailand and Indonesia, the Philippine market could be next on the list.
Don’t miss the latest EV developments at Philkotse.com.