In a groundbreaking announcement, Toyota Motor Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) revealed their plans to co-develop a “Mobility AI Platform” aimed at creating a society free of traffic accidents. At a joint press conference in Tokyo, the two companies highlighted their vision to integrate high-speed communication with advanced AI systems to enhance road safety and redefine mobility infrastructure.
A Vision for Zero Traffic Accidents
Toyota and NTT have collaborated since 2017, initially working on connected vehicle technology. By 2020, their partnership extended to encompass smart city initiatives, with both companies setting sights on transforming mobility at a societal level. The latest phase will leverage AI-powered platforms to seamlessly connect people, vehicles, and infrastructure, building on what Toyota President Koji Sato described as a mission to “change the future of cars.”
“We intend to create diverse value in mobility by expanding the value of cars and integrating cars into social systems,” said Sato. Central to this effort is Toyota’s transition to software-defined vehicles (SDVs), which enable continuous software updates to ensure safety and adaptability on the road.
The Three Pillars of the Mobility AI Platform
The new Mobility AI Platform comprises three main components:
- Distributed Computing Platform – This element includes data centers designed to process large volumes of mobility data. Located near renewable energy sources, these centers will leverage local power to minimize environmental impact.
- Intelligent Communication Infrastructure – The platform will enable real-time data collection and connectivity across urban, suburban, and rural areas, facilitating a smoother exchange of data for traffic management and accident prevention.
- AI Infrastructure – This component will support continuous learning by analyzing data from various sources, including people, vehicles, and infrastructure. By 2030, Toyota projects a 22-fold increase in data traffic from SDVs, necessitating 150 times the current computing power.
A Collaborative Future
NTT President Akira Shimada emphasized the collaborative aspect of the initiative, stating, “Integrating this kind of AI will allow us to enrich society with various mobility services, including traffic accident prevention and more advanced automated driving.” He also invited partners to join in, underscoring a shared commitment to societal betterment.
Timeline and Investment
Toyota and NTT have allocated a substantial investment of 500 billion yen to initiate development in 2025. Public trials are planned for 2028, with broader adoption anticipated by 2030, as the companies work towards President Sato’s vision of a “mobility society” that is as safe as it is efficient.
This ambitious AI platform represents a new era in mobility, with Toyota and NTT leading the charge toward a connected, accident-free future.
