Toyota Motor Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) announced Thursday their collaboration to develop an AI-supported driving software platform aimed at reducing vehicle accidents.

The two Japanese automotive and telecommunications giants plan to jointly invest 500 billion yen (approximately $3.3 billion) in the project. The companies previously established a capital partnership in 2020 for building energy-efficient “smart cities.” Software development will begin next year, potentially paving the way for autonomous driving technology advancement.

The companies plan to implement the software in practical applications around 2028, with widespread adoption expected two years later.

Toyota President Koji Sato stated at the news conference: “By establishing an AI and communications platform that supports mobile society, we will accelerate the pace of changing the future of automobiles.” Sato emphasized the importance of predicting accident risks to achieve the goal of a “zero traffic accident society.”

According to the companies, the AI technology is expected to collect driving data, analyze potential accidents, and use this information to autonomously control vehicles to prevent collisions.

As the software requires processing massive amounts of data, the companies plan to use NTT’s next-generation Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) communications platform to accelerate processing speeds.

NTT President Akira Shimada stated that the companies are committed to making vehicles “smarter and safer” through AI that learns from information collected via the platform.

Shimada added: “Considering that both Toyota and NTT are global enterprises, our goal is to establish this platform and expand its international influence.”

When asked about the platform’s potential for advancing autonomous driving technology, Sato indicated that Toyota would proceed steadily, building upon current improvements in driver assistance systems.

Notably, Toyota and NTT have been jointly developing “connected cars” equipped with advanced communication systems since 2017.

Key Points:

• Toyota and NTT announce collaboration on AI driving platform with 500 billion yen joint investment.
• Plan for practical implementation by 2028 and widespread adoption by 2030.
• New platform will collect and analyze data through AI technology to prevent traffic accidents.
• Will utilize NTT’s latest IOWN communications platform for massive data processing.
• Collaboration continues from connected car project initiated in 2017.
• Project aims to achieve zero traffic accident society goal.