As the company itself describes it, five “major Toyota Group companies” have agreed to start “significant new initiatives” aimed at “bolstering their capabilities in artificial intelligence and software development”.
The push includes the establishment of the Toyota Software Academy, and the launch of the Global AI Accelerator (GAIA) to spearhead innovation.
The companies collaborating on these efforts are: Aisin, Denso, Toyota Tsusho, Toyota Motor, and Woven by Toyota.
Their stated goal is to cultivate a new generation of AI and software professionals and leverage AI to develop advanced products, ultimately contributing to a safer, more secure, and freely mobile society.
The Toyota Software Academy is designed to nurture experts who possess a deep understanding of both software and hardware technologies, crucial for future automotive development. It will offer approximately 100 practical training courses covering AI, data security, and vehicle regulations.
A key feature will be hands-on learning, allowing participants to implement their programs in actual vehicles, focusing on safety and quality.
The academy also aims to foster a global community of AI and software professionals, supporting their career development through skill visualization and AI-powered educational recommendations, including Denso’s “SOMRIE” skill certification program.
Complementing the academy, the Global AI Accelerator (GAIA) will see a significant boost in investment towards AI research, development, and implementation across Toyota.
Inspired by Toyota’s “Jidoka” principle – automation with a human touch – GAIA seeks to enhance employee productivity and drive the creation of new AI-enabled products.
Initially, GAIA will target eleven key areas: AD/ADAS, business software development, customer relations, knowledge retention, in-vehicle agents, material discovery, manufacturing, novel mobility, office productivity, robotics, and vehicle engineering.
Dr Gill Pratt, Toyota’s chief scientist, said: “There is tremendous enthusiasm across global Toyota for leveraging AI to improve speed and efficiency in everything from manufacturing to design to office work, and to create new products that utilize AI.
“While we cannot predict the future, especially in AI, we can prepare for it and ensure we bring our best traditions to the table, putting people at the heart of technological change.”
Leaders from the participating companies echoed this sentiment. Yoshihisa Yamamoto, chief technology strategy officer of Aisin, highlighted the aim to cultivate engineers with a holistic vehicle perspective.
Atsushi Hayashida, chief software officer of Denso, noted their commitment to advancing in-vehicle software and supporting engineer growth.
Eiji Matsuzaki, CEO of the digital solutions division at Toyota Tsusho, spoke of realizing “global, human-centered software development”.
Hiroaki Okuchi, chief customer officer of Woven by Toyota, expressed excitement about sharing their strengths in software and AI to “weave the future of mobility, together”.
The Toyota Software Academy will primarily use online lectures delivered by experts, supplemented by practical training at various company research facilities. Participation is initially from the five founding companies, with plans for future expansion.
