Toyota GR Supra Is an Autonomous Drift Machine…No, Really
Toyota Research Institute’s quest to find new ways of enhancing car safety has brought us a self-drifting GR Supra racing prototype.
With Tesla becoming the world’s most valuable automaker, Toyota and other legacy car brands are trying to catch up with the Californian EV manufacturer. To do so, the Japanese car company would have to develop an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and battery technology that can rival the likes of Tesla Inc.
As it turns out, Toyota might be nearing a technological breakthrough on the autonomous driving front. Toyota Research Institute (TRI) recently released a video in which a 2021 GR Supra can be seen drifting around a track, all by itself. TRI teamed up with Stanford University’s Dynamic Design Lab to try and find new ways to enhance car safety, and this self-drifting Supra is the result of that project.
The GR Supra seen in this short clip is a race-modified prototype vehicle that comes equipped with a large rear wing and an ultra-wide body kit that accommodates all-black high-performance wheels. TRI drew inspiration from professional drift drivers and used artificial intelligence algorithms and vehicle automation technology to deliver this awesome showcase.
The institute shared its vision for the experiment,” What if every driver who ran into trouble had the instinctive reflexes of a professional race car driver and the calculated foresight of a supercomputer to avoid a crash?” TRI further added, “Goal is to design a new level of active safety technology and share it broadly so that Toyota and other auto manufacturers can deploy it on the road.”
The video is a demonstration of Toyota’s ability to combine the instinctive reflexes of professional racing drivers and the company’s autonomous driving technology. The Japanese automaker showcased its technical prowess on a closed track under controlled conditions. There was even a professional racing driver supervising the experiment from behind the wheel, but the autonomous driving suite was in control of vehicle operations at all times.
TRI CEO and Chief Scientist at Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), Gill Pratt discussed the objective of the project “TRI will learn from some of the most skilled drivers in the world to develop sophisticated control algorithms that amplify human driving abilities and keep people safe. This is the essence of the Toyota Guardian approach.”
Last year, Japanese-spec Honda Legend became the first car to receive the type designation for Level 3 autonomous driving. Now, with Toyota’s successful integration of razor-sharp driver instincts and vehicle automation technology, it is safe to say that fully-autonomous cars are soon becoming a reality.