Toyota Gives Their Take On Interiors For Autonomous Vehicles

CES is less than two weeks away and Toyota Boshoku will use the event to introduce two interior concepts for autonomous vehicles.

The first is called ACES (Active Comfort Engaging Space) and it’s designed to be used in a vehicle with Level 4 autonomous driving technology. Since it isn’t designed for use in a fully autonomous vehicle, the cabin still features a steering wheel.

That’s where the mainstream ends as the concept appears to have an instrument cluster which is projected onto the dashboard. We can also see a fairly traditional infotainment system, video camera side mirrors and two ‘floating’ controls for the front seats.

Toyota didn’t say much about the controls, but the concept features a “physique and posture detection system” which uses a camera and a seat sensor to detect a person’s eye position, size and posture. The seat and seatbelt will then automatically adjust themselves to make the occupant more comfortable.

Speaking of comfort, the concept has an enfold personal air conditioning system which monitors the temperature around each individual. If front passenger is cold, the interior will only warm up the area around them.

Like a number of newer concepts, the ACES features an emotion sensing system which can determine your current mood. In essence, the concept could adjust the ambient lighting system and release a fragrance to help calm you down when you’re feeling stressed.

Since drivers will still have to take control of the vehicle on occasion, the concept has been equipped with an active driver engagement system. If sensors detect the driver is becoming drowsy, it will use music and vibrations to help keep them awake.

Besides the ACES concept, Toyota Boshoku will display the Moox which is a combination of the words mobile and box. This interior concept is designed for fully autonomous vehicles which typically resemble boxes on wheels.

Toyota didn’t say much about the concept, but stated it has been “designed to support different types of services from business to entertainment with a fully flexible seat arrangement and an array of necessary functions.” That’s a little vague, but screens play a prominent role in the interior as the images suggest passengers could join conferences and video chats while on the way to work.