Toyota launches collaborative safety research centre in US

Toyota is launching a new, advanced safety research centre that will collaborate with leading North American universities, hospitals, research institutions, federal agencies and other organisations on projects aimed at reducing the number of traffic fatalities and injuries on America's roads. Toyota's new Collaborative Safety Research Centre (CSRC) will be based at the Toyota Technical Centre (TTC) in Ann Arbor, Michigan and will involve Toyota researchers and engineers from North America and Japan. The com
May 17, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
1686 Toyota is launching a new, advanced safety research centre that will collaborate with leading North American universities, hospitals, research institutions, federal agencies and other organisations on projects aimed at reducing the number of traffic fatalities and injuries on America's roads.

Toyota's new Collaborative Safety Research Centre (CSRC) will be based at the Toyota Technical Centre (TTC) in Ann Arbor, Michigan and will involve Toyota researchers and engineers from North America and Japan. The company estimates that it will commit approximately US$50 million over the next five years to fund CSRC. The 5594 University of Michigan, 5593 Virginia Tech and The 5595 Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute will be charter partners in the new CSRC. Toyota will also reach out broadly to other universities, hospitals and research institutions in North America to invite proposals for research into advanced automotive safety.

The collaborative research will pursue integrated ways to enhance safety, involving the vehicle, driver and traffic environment. Initial areas of focus will include reducing the risk of driver distraction and protecting the most vulnerable traffic populations, including children, teens and seniors. These populations account for approximately 30 per cent of US traffic fatalities.

In addition, CSRC will conduct in-depth analyses of available accident and human behaviour data to support stakeholders' efforts to evaluate and speed deployment of active safety systems.

Announcing the new safety initiative, Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda said, "Toyota's new safety research centre will work with leading North American universities and other partners on safety projects that benefit the entire industry. Our investment will support collaborative research aiming to reduce driver distraction and increase the safety of vehicles, drivers, passengers and pedestrians."

Chuck Gulash, a senior executive engineer at the Toyota Technical Centre, will serve as director of CSRC, reporting to Shigeki Terashi, who is a managing officer of Toyota Motor Corporation and the president of TTC.

Related Content

  • Connected car market expected to reach US$131.9 billion in 2019
    February 3, 2014
    The latest report from Transparency Market Research, “Connected Car Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2013 – 2019,” provides in depth analysis, market size estimates, market shares, and forecast covering the period 2013-2019 for the connected car market across the globe. It discusses market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and market trends. The global connected car market is primarily driven by the changing consumer preference and growing awareness about sa
    Read More
  • Multi-tasking at the wheel a potentially fatal myth, finds IAM
    November 20, 2015
    Expert psychologists have concluded that multi-tasking whilst driving is a myth – and the most dangerous of those driving multi-tasks is texting and talking on a mobile phone, according to a new report produced by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). The research focuses on the dangers involved when drivers try and engage in more than one task, indicating this can have a ‘detrimental’ effect on the quality and accuracy of driving performance. The find
    Read More
  • GHSA wants more action on distracted driving 
    May 5, 2021
    Some US state laws have not kept pace with tech, says lobby group StopDistractions.org
    Read More
  • IAM warns of dangers of in-car technology distractions
    April 30, 2015
    The UK Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has warned that car manufacturers are building high-tech distractions into their new vehicles and have made interiors so comfortable they are being turned into living rooms. IAM chief executive officer Sarah Sillars said efforts to reduce distraction factors for motorists are being undone by the relentless pace of technology and eagerness of car makers to pack more gadgets onto dashboards. She said the main areas of concern were highly sophisticated satellite-
    Read More

Highlighted Content