Toyota Motor Corporation and Japan’s Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) are set to invest 500 billion yen ($3.26 billion) into research and development for artificial intelligence software aimed at enhancing self-driving capabilities, according to a Nikkei report on Tuesday.
This collaboration focuses on developing advanced automotive software that utilizes AI to predict potential accidents and assume control to prevent them, with a target of launching a functional system by 2028 for broader industry use. The move aligns with Japanese automakers’ efforts to tap into the rapidly growing autonomous driving market, a space currently led by Tesla and major Chinese firms.
Since 2021, Toyota has incorporated a hands-free driving feature in its Mirai fuel-cell model. Toyota and NTT’s collaboration dates back to 2017, when they partnered on 5G technology for connected vehicles, followed by a 2020 venture to develop a smart city initiative.
While Toyota has not officially commented on the report, it confirmed ongoing collaboration with NTT to drive a safer and more secure future for mobility. NTT has yet to respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
