Toyota Smart Insect Generates Buzz, Will Debut In Japan

Sep 28, 2012 12:23 PM EDT | Matt Mercuro

Toyota Motor Co. announced Friday that the next-generation of communication linked concept modeled vehicles produced by Toyota will be called the Smart Insect. The car will feature information technology services to assist the driver of the car with everyday activities and adjust to the owner's lifestyle.

The Insect is a compact, single-passenger electric vehicle based on the Coms EV model manufactured by Toyota. The car is equipped with innovative technologies such as voice recognition, behavior prediction, and voice recognition to better assist users and to make life a little easier.

The Insect has mounted motion sensors which use facial-recognition technology to detect and authenticate the driver who is registered with the vehicle when the owner of the car approaches. The car can communicate with the driver by flashing the front lights and even greets the driver using the instrument panel monitor. A virtual agent at the Toyota Smart Center recognizes the driver's voice and through communication with the driver the car can predict the driver's intentions, operate many of the vehicles functions like fog lights and audio system.

The vehicle can connect with its driver from the driver's home using the cloud-based Toyota Smart Center.  Through the virtual agent a driver can for example operate the locks and air conditioners of the owner's home while driving the vehicle.

Pictures have not been released of the car yet, but tentative drawings of the new design have been making its way around the internet. The Insect will be on display for the first time at the Toyota Booth at CEATEC JAPAN 2012. The company will be running a demonstration of the car at the exhibition, which is scheduled to be held from Oct. 2 through Oct. 6 in Chiba City, Japan.

As of 2012, Toyota's are sold in 160 countries and has 50 overseas manufacturing companies in 27 countries and regions. 

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