Toyota has reached the conclusion that drivers are too distracted even before they get inside their cars and believes it has a solution to this problem. Called the Driver Awareness Research Vehicle (DAR-V), the Sienna-based prototype unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show is said to help prevent accidents from happening.

Developed in partnership with Microsoft Research, the Toyota DAR-V features interactive systems integrated into the design of the vehicle that display important, highly personalized information on the side window when the driver approaches the car.

Using gestures, voice and the key fob, drivers can then navigate information such as updates on traffic and the weather, appointments and schedules for the day ahead, and even route details that might include a gas station if the vehicle is low on fuel.

Toyota believes that by addressing these daily priorities before even setting foot in the car, drivers will be less distracted and will focus on driving. Furthermore, since the DAR-V system can recognize and differentiate between individuals, it might also be used to reduce other types of driver distractions as well. For example, the system may engage children in “games” designed to help them buckle their seat belts quickly, easing the stress on parents and helping them focus more of their attention on the road.

You can find out more about how the DAR-V system works from Toyota’s official video posted below.

By Dan Mihalascu

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