Totoyyota recently delved into the world of autonomous driving, but not in the way you’d expect… The Japanese auto giant demonstrated two drift GR Supras using the tech as a potential crash-avoidance tool.
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In a video uploaded on YouTube, two Supra sports cars are seen drifting in tandem on a closed circuit in California, supervised by drivers who never interact with the steering wheel. The video, filled with shots of the gear shifter and steering wheel moving on their own, highlights the autonomous nature of this feat.
The two Supras were programmed differently. The lead car was coded by TRI to follow a specific drifting path, while the chase car, programmed by Stanford, dynamically adapted to the lead vehicle, ensuring it drifted alongside without collision. This coordination worked flawlessly, showcasing the precision of the technology.
Avinash Balachandran, vice president of TRI’s Human Interactive Driving division, explained the purpose behind this flashy display. “When your car begins to skid or slide, you rely solely on your driving skills to avoid crashing into another vehicle, tree, or obstacle. An average driver struggles in these extreme situations, and a split second can mean the difference between life and death.”.
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The goal of this autonomous testing program, developed in collaboration with Stanford Engineering, is to explore the safety potential of autonomous drifting. The idea is to create a system that can intervene just in time to help a driver regain control, much like an expert drifter would.
Balachandran emphasized the groundbreaking nature of their achievement. “We’ve done something no one else in the world has done. We’ve shown two vehicles tandem drifting where the following vehicle is reacting in real-time to the first vehicle and avoiding crashing,” he said. This new technology, he believes, could significantly enhance vehicle safety in scenarios where drivers might lose control.
The video of the Supras drifting in unison, with the word ‘autonomous’ displayed prominently on a screen, not only captures the imagination but also hints at a future where cars can handle even the trickiest of driving situations. With this innovative technology, Toyota is steering towards a future where cars are not just modes of transport but active participants in ensuring our safety on the road.
