At the core of Toyota are two key aspects: safety and innovation. From each vehicles design to its systems and software, the Japanese manufacturer has consistently proven its commitment to the driver, their safety, and overall driving experience.

Alongside University of Michigan and State Farm, Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC)—a major auto safety contributor—is now furthering this commitment, announcing four new research projects that will support and inform a transition to a safe future of mobility. Focused on creating safe and efficient systems, Toyota’s CSRC will invest $1 million to enhance advanced technology system designs to be intuitive, easy to understand, and to safely engage with drivers.

To contribute to advanced auto safety industrywide, this study will explore driver behavior in different environments, using advanced driver assistance systems to monitor driver health and identify driver error. The four research projects are:

“These studies will help us better align advanced vehicle technologies with the driver’s needs and allow us to design and develop systems that are ultimately intuitive and easy for drivers to use,” said Jeff Makarewicz, group vice president, Toyota Motor North America, Advanced Mobility Research & Development. “By working with our partner institutions, and openly sharing our insights with the broader automotive, government, NGO, and technology communities, we believe we can help progress society’s acceptance of these new and promising technologies.”

Since its 2011 launch, CSRC has contributed to the development of automotive safety solutions that can be experienced across todays Toyota lineup. Visit Toyota of Olympia near Tacoma, Tumwater, and Chehalis, WA to test drive Toyota vehicles known for safety, including the Corolla Hatchback, Camry, RAV4, and Highlander. Select Toyota models have earned IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards in various years, including 2020, when properly equipped.

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