Driverless Toyota Cars At Tokyo 2020
Auto-manufacturing giant Toyota has revealed plans to deploy autonomous electric cars at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Japanese manufacturer, which is part of the International Olympic Committee’s TOP programme of worldwide partners, intends to use the battery-powered vehicles in the Athletes’ Village.
Olympians and Paralympians will be able to hail down the high-tech cars to help them get around the 44-hectare waterfront site in Tokyo Bay.
As part of its TOP deal, Toyota is responsible for supplying a fleet of 3,000 official cars for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The company says it plans to use models including its Toyota Mirai, the world’s first mass-produced fuel-cell car, and the Sora, a fuel-cell bus.
Toyota will also use the Games to showcase its new Concept-i vehicle, which recognises drivers’ emotions and preferences using artificial intelligence technology.
Toyota president Akio Toyoda said the company particularly hoped to support older people and those with disabilities, commenting: “If someone wants to take on a challenge and moving is what is preventing them from doing so, Toyota would like to help tackle that problem. We want mobility to be a possibility, not an obstacle.”
The news comes as Japanese organisers mark the two-year countdown to the Games, which will open on July 24th , 2020 in Tokyo’s rebuilt Olympic Stadium.
Tokyo 2020 has been pitching its Games as “the most innovative in history”. The Japanese capital secured hosting rights following a bid campaign run under the strapline of ‘Discover Tomorrow.’
Image: ©Getty Images
