World's biggest automaker aims for zero accidents with autonomous cars using AI

Toyota is using artificial intelligence (AI) in its pursuit of zero traffic accidents for its first software-defined vehicles (SDVs), but says it can’t reach the goal on its own – nor without autonomous vehicles.

Speaking to media including CarExpert at the recent Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, the president of Toyota’s software development centre, Akihiro Sarada, said improved road safety requires collaboration between automakers and beyond. 

“Our ultimate goal with SDV is creating a society with no traffic accidents,” Sarada-san said. 

“What is important first is to create an ecosystem with partners, not just in the automotive industry, but also elsewhere, who can share our ambition of eliminating accidents to zero. 

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“We think it’s also important to create this system with other car manufacturers – zero traffic accidents cannot be achieved by Toyota alone.”

SDVs rely on software – rather than physical components, which are generally referred to as hardware – to control their functions.

The Tesla Model S electric sedan, launched in 2012, is considered the world’s first mass-produced SDV. 

Through software updates, SDVs can be updated with new features as they are developed and can also be personalised to their owner’s tastes. 

Toyota first announced its goal of zero traffic accidents – and therefore zero deaths – in a media presentation on SDVs back in 2024, with no timeline set to reach the goal.

“If it’s the technology with the cars alone, then you’re not able to prevent the accidents, for example, because of pedestrians stepping out from the blind spot,” Sarada-san said.

“If we work with only cars, then the accidents will decline, but it will stagnate at some point.

“As a result, we would like to run the cycle of [an] ecosystem providing safety and assurance to customers and also provide attractive cars as a result of that.”

The key technology, Sarada-san said, is seamless high-speed communication or interaction between vehicles and infrastructure such as roadside cameras. 

To be effective, the vast amounts of data constantly being collected must be analysed quickly, the Toyota software boss said.

“As we know, people travel quickly in urban areas and rural regions and mountain roads, so after the system detects objects like vehicles and people, it should share their information immediately and continuously,” he said.

“To help with this, we are also creating new communication technologies, using AI to select the best way to collect the data.”

Toyota’s use of AI will be used in conjunction with autonomous vehicle technology, with the Japanese auto giant announcing a partnership with Waymo earlier this year to develop self-driving taxis.

“Our ultimate goal is to eradicate traffic accidents and, of course, autonomous driving is a technology necessary to realise this safe environment,” said Sarada-san. 

The software boss made a point to clarify the definition of ‘autonomous driving’ according to Toyota.

“We don’t use it [the term] for ‘driverless driving’, but rather we would like to use that technology to enhance the fun of driving for customers.

“Even with human beings driving cars, we still want to reduce accidents.”

Toyota isn’t the first car company to set an ambitious target of zero deaths, nor the first to use AI to improve vehicle safety.

In 2014, Swedish brand Volvo – under 2012-2022 president and CEO Hakan Samuelsson, who is now back in the role – announced a goal of zero traffic deaths in its vehicles by the year 2020.

Despite failing to reach the ambitious goal, which is something it blamed on intoxicated drivers, the Geely-owned company says it remains committed to preventing fatalities in its vehicles. 

After falling short of its target, Volvo introduced AI-based driver monitoring tech to detect intoxicated drivers and prevent them from using their vehicle. MORE: Explore the Toyota showroom