Toyota Research Institute (TRI) and Stanford Engineering have unveiled a pioneering milestone in autonomous driving: the world’s first fully autonomous tandem drift, achieved with a pair of Toyota GR Supras.
In this remarkable tandem drifting sequence, one car leads while the other closely follows, executing a high-speed drift with mere inches separating them. The key to this success is a special AI system that learns from experience, similar to how skilled drivers improve their drifting technique over time. The AI uses a neural network tire model to understand and handle the complex forces involved in drifting.
"This technology can intervene precisely when needed, managing loss of control just as an expert drifter would," said Avinash Balachandran, vice president of TRI’s Human Interactive Driving division. "Achieving this has shown us the vast potential of AI in making cars safer."
AI-Designed Drift Sequences
Toyota's New GR Supras Were Designed Autonomously Using AI
Trend Themes
1. Autonomous Drifting - AI-driven drifting showcases the potential for safer, more precise vehicle control in high-speed scenarios.
2. AI-neural Networks in Automotive - Utilizing neural network tire models highlights AI's ability to understand and manage complex physical forces in real-time.
3. Collaborative Autonomous Vehicles - Achieving autonomous tandem drift demonstrates the capability of coordinated AI systems in synchronized vehicle maneuvers.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive Manufacturing - Integration of advanced AI systems for vehicle control can revolutionize safety and performance standards in car design.
2. Artificial Intelligence - Developing AI that mimics expert human actions opens new frontiers in machine learning and real-time decision-making.
3. Motorsports - AI-assisted driving technologies provide a pathway to enhance competitive racing with precision and safety innovations.