Toyota Research Institute (TRI) provides us with a glimpse into the future of autonomy, as they successfully programmed GR Supra to autonomously drift around obstacles on a closed track for the first time ever. The team combined their deep knowledge of both vehicle dynamics with control design and TRI’s Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) approach to avoid accidents by navigating sudden obstacles or hazardous road conditions like black ice.
This milestone brings TRI researchers closer to understanding the full spectrum of vehicle performance, especially since the new software advances are capable of calculating a whole new trajectory every 20th of a second to help balance the car gracefully as it drifts around the track. Toyota will use this data and continue to push the limits of vehicle safety technology.
- Authentically detailed LEGO replica of the legendary Toyota GR Supra, plus racing driver minifigure
- With its wider 8-stud chassis, the collectible model car toy has room for 2 minifigures and lots of authentic detailing
- Driver minifigure has a Toyota racing suit, safety helmet and wrench, providing plenty of inspiration for imaginative, high-speed play
At TRI, our goal is to use advanced technologies that augment and amplify humans, not replace them. Through this project, we are expanding the region in which a car is controllable, with the goal of giving regular drivers the instinctual reflexes of a professional race car driver to be able to handle the most challenging emergencies and keep people safer on the road,” said Avinash Balachandran, senior manager of TRI’s Human Centric Driving Research.
