Toyota ADAS and Autonomous Strategy Report

Toyota Motor Corporation has taken a steady and safety-focused approach to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous (self-driving) technologies. While other companies may promise aggressive robotaxi launches or widespread “hands-free” driving, Toyota’s approach emphasizes:

• Standardizing ADAS (via Toyota Safety Sense) on regular, mainstream Toyota models.
• Launching Level 2+ systems (called Lexus Teammate) on higher-end Lexus models.
• Making significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI), software, and partnerships (including a large new Software Development Center).
• Adopting a human-centered philosophy—referred to as the “Mobility Teammate Concept”—where the driver is still in control, but technology offers support.

Within the past six months, Toyota has:

• Announced a major partnership with telecom company NTT, investing ¥500 billion to co-develop AI-based self-driving software by 2028.
• Reorganized its Woven Planet subsidiary to speed up work on vehicles that rely heavily on software.
• Expanded low-speed, self-driving shuttles (called e-Palette) in more pilot programs.

All these moves reinforce Toyota’s commitment to moving carefully, focusing on safety and building public trust now, while preparing for more advanced self-driving capabilities once the regulations and market are ready.