Toyota aims for L2++ driver assistance in retail cars from 2028 and Arene for partners

Toyota set out its automated-driving and software plans at an event held during the week of 11 November at its North American research and development headquarters in Saline, Michigan, according to a Toyota Motor North America release dated 11 November.

The company said it aims to introduce L2++ automated driving assistance in select retail vehicles beginning in 2028, and plans to expand it to a wide range of models worldwide within several years. Toyota said its automated-driving development brings together real-world driving data, insights from expert drivers and end-to-end AI built in-house, with safety guardrails. The release did not name the first models or markets.

On Arene, its software platform, Toyota restated its plan to expand it from the RAV4 and Lexus ES to approximately 50 models and 10 million vehicles worldwide by 2030, and said it aims to provide the platform to alliance partners. The release described Arene’s tools and data capabilities as letting applications run across different types and generations of high-performance chips, so that software can adapt as vehicle hardware changes. Toyota said it also sees possible uses for the software in robotics, factories, infrastructure and homes.

Hiroki Nakajima, chief technology officer of Toyota Motor Corporation, said the company aims to combine its data and manufacturing experience with advances in AI, software and robotics.

The same release covered factory automation, with Toyota and its suppliers expecting to invest about ¥1 trillion a year from 2028 to renew ageing production equipment, as well as battery work and a new Scion by Toyota brand. Woven by Toyota said on 9 November that Arene now supports the Sequoia and Tundra.