The post Toyota Maintains Leadership in Automotive Innovation, Top Spot Among Automakers in Annual U.S. Patent Ranking appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>Despite a challenging year that saw a 3% overall decline in patents granted across all industries in the United States, Toyota ranked seventh among all companies awarded patents in 2023, receiving a total of 2,667 patents.
“This achievement continues to underscore Toyota’s unwavering commitment to innovation, particularly in areas critical to the future of mobility such as electrification and intelligent transportation solutions,” said Sandra Phillips Rogers, senior vice president of Corporate Resources and chief legal officer at Toyota Motor North America. “Our focus is on creating sustainable and advanced technological solutions and contributing to the betterment of society and the industry at large, all while ensuring our innovations are recognized through filings with the USPTO.”
Toyota’s 2023 patents showcase the company’s wide-ranging innovations, including:
“Toyota team members work very aggressively at research and development to discover cutting-edge technology for propelling the company forward,” said Frederick Mau, intellectual property counsel and director of Patent Licensing for Toyota Motor North America. “It’s impressive to see the fruits of their efforts reflected in these rankings every year.”
Globally, Toyota spends approximately $1 million per hour on R&D, to ensure that Toyota rapidly and continuously develops cutting-edge, high-quality, and appealing vehicles and technologies. This commitment ensures that Toyota not only delivers on the needs of customers but also anticipates its role in future societal progress.
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]]>The post Toyota Unleashes The TRD Performance Package Power-up Option For Tundra appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>Recognizing the opportunity to leverage the new Tundra and its twin turbocharged, i-FORCE V6 engine, Toyota sought to bring something truly unique to its customers.
“In factory trim, the base i-FORCE engine produces 389 peak horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 479 lb-ft. of torque at 2,400 rpm,” said Greg Bernas, vice president, Toyota Service Parts and Accessories Development. “The TRD Performance Package increases power output to 421 horsepower at 5,200 rpm, while peak torque comes on 400 rpm sooner, delivering 479 lb-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm, broadening the torque band and significantly improving power delivery at throttle tip in,” Bernas said. “On the i-FORCE MAX Tundra, the kit boosts horsepower from 437 to 469.”
Building on the strength of Toyota’s i-FORCE engine design, the engineers increased airflow going into the turbochargers, while optimizing the engine management calibration via software. The TRD Performance Package employs larger, higher-flowing dual intakes coupled with a higher flowing cat-back exhaust that reduces back pressure.
With the hard parts installed, the engine management calibration is optimized to take advantage of the new hardware and 91 octane premium fuel, an essential element that allows Toyota engineers to optimize engine output. Tundra TRD Pro buyers can expect the same horsepower and torque gains from their i-FORCE MAX powertrain. Unique throttle tuning compliments the increased powertrain performance resulting in a sporty and powerful driving feel.
The TRD Performance Package also includes exclusive visual cues, including a special badge on the tailgate and a unique exhaust tip treatment. Together, the sound of the turbochargers spooling up and the menacing exhaust note provide auditory proof of a measurable performance enhancement worthy of TRD.
“We wanted to build on the excitement of the new Tundra platform and the twin-turbo engine— which already makes monster horsepower and torque— to develop this performance package,” said Jakin Wilson, senior engineering manager, Toyota Motor North America.
The TRD Performance Package also provides customers with peace-of–mind thanks to a full, factory-backed warranty, along with the added convenience of financing options. The kit is installed before it reaches the dealer, and comes with a MSRP price of $3,400.
Initially, the TRD Performance Package will be offered on new Tundras. Toyota is considering expanding the package to other models in the near future, while also working to offer a dealer–installed option for customers that already own Tundras and are looking for a factory-backed way to crank up the power.
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]]>The post Desert Running Goes Digital with Toyota Tacoma IsoDynamic Performance Seat Simulator at SEMA appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>Debuting this week at the SEMA Show in the great indoors of the Las Vegas Convention Center, TRD Pro Time Attack pairs the new IsoDynamic Performance Seat with a six-degree-of-freedom simulator and gaming experience created in-house by software company Toyota Connected North America (TCNA). In it, drivers navigate a dynamic, high-speed course to experience how the IsoDynamic Performance Seat is designed to help reduce fatigue compared to a normal seat by stabilizing the ride on rough terrain.
“Our goal was to demonstrate the performance capabilities our R&D engineers built into the IsoDynamic Performance Seat, leveraging cutting-edge video game technologies,” said Eric Bursch, design and innovation lead, TCNA. “Gamifying the experience allows us to show how the IsoDynamic Performance Seat performs on a simulated off-road course in a way that’s both fun and educational for those wanting to understand its benefits.”
Bursch spent time with Toyota Motor North America’s (TMNA) R&D engineers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, studying how the IsoDynamic Performance Seats damp out terrain undulations. The team also compared their findings to data gathered on Toyota’s Arizona proving grounds to fine-tune the simulator. Reciprocally, R&D engineers joined TCNA in Plano, Texas, to help calibrate vibration levels felt through the simulator’s hydraulics to further align the game and reality.
The TCNA Immersive Experiences team created a completely custom, high-speed Baja-style racecourse in-house and collaborated with longtime Toyota partner JBL to create an audio profile to complement the experience.
The team draws from the background of engineers and artists who have worked in the video game and phone app industries. This blend of engineering and gaming would not have been possible without the expertise and leadership of Allen Danklefsen, TCNA’s Technical Executive Producer, who brings with him 18 years of game development experience.
“Customers considering a 2024 Toyota Tacoma may not have access to an off-road park to test the mettle of the new IsoDynamic Performance Seats,” said Danklefsen. “If we can provide drivers an experience that engages them and helps them confidently find the truck that’s right for them, then that’s what matters. The fact we can do this with cutting-edge technology is all the more satisfying.”
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is anticipated to go on sale spring 2024. The TRD Pro Time Attack is available to SEMA attendees October 31 through November 3.
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]]>The post LG Energy Solution and Toyota Sign Long-term Battery Supply Agreement to Power Electric Vehicles in the U.S. appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>Under the contract, LG Energy Solution will supply automotive battery modules at an annual capacity of 20GWh starting from 2025. The battery modules, consisting of high-nickel NCMA (nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminum) pouch-type cells, will be manufactured in LG Energy Solution’s Michigan facility.
The innovative power solutions will support Toyota’s expanding line of BEVs, part of its multi-pathway product strategy, including a new BEV model that will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in 2025. They will also help further Toyota’s vehicle electrification initiatives, as it aspires to offer 30 BEV models globally across its Toyota and Lexus brand nameplates and produce up to 3.5 million BEVs annually by 2030.
“At Toyota, our goal is to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible, as fast as possible,” said Tetsuo “Ted” Ogawa, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. “Having secure supplies of lithium-ion batteries at scale with a long-term relationship to support Toyota’s multi-pathway approach and growth plans for BEVs in North America is critical to achieve our manufacturing and carbon reduction plans. Working with LG Energy Solution, we are excited to be able to offer products that will provide the performance and quality our customers expect.”
To fulfill the supply agreement, LG Energy Solution will invest KRW 4 trillion (approximately USD 3 billion) in its Michigan facility to establish new production lines for battery cells and modules exclusively for Toyota, with completion slated for 2025. Initially, the battery modules will go to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky to be assembled into battery packs and equipped onto BEVs.
The agreement brings together LG Energy Solution’s proven capabilities in manufacturing top quality battery cells and modules at scale, and Toyota’s advanced technologies in battery packs to create a product using LG Energy Solution’s innovative power solution which optimizes battery system performance, providing peace of mind and further enhancing the BEV customer experience. LG Energy Solution continues to enhance battery safety, including with respect to its thermal management for its high-nickel NCMA batteries.
“We’re excited to have Toyota, the best-selling global automaker, as our new customer. With our 30 years of experience in lithium-ion batteries, we will provide innovative power solutions to support Toyota’s push further into battery electric vehicles,” said Youngsoo Kwon, CEO of LG Energy Solution. “The agreement also presents another big opportunity for us to strengthen our production capacity in North America, thereby bringing more real-life, large-scale progress toward electrification in the region.”
The landmark deal represents LG Energy Solution’s largest single supply agreement secured outside of joint venture agreements. The company now supplies its batteries to all top five global automakers[1]. Based on its market leadership, the company has eight battery manufacturing facilities currently operating or under construction in North America, and continues to expand both its production network and supply chain in the region.
[1] Based on 2022 market sales
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]]>The post Toyota Research Institute Unveils Breakthrough in Teaching Robots New Behaviors appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>“Our research in robotics is aimed at amplifying people rather than replacing them,” said Gill Pratt, CEO of TRI and Chief Scientist for Toyota Motor Corporation. “This new teaching technique is both very efficient and produces very high performing behaviors, enabling robots to much more effectively amplify people in many ways.”
Previous state-of-the-art techniques to teach robots new behaviors were slow, inconsistent, inefficient, and often limited to narrowly defined tasks performed in highly constrained environments. Roboticists needed to spend many hours writing sophisticated code and/or using numerous trial and error cycles to program behaviors.
TRI has already taught robots more than 60 difficult, dexterous skills using the new approach, including pouring liquids, using tools, and manipulating deformable objects. These achievements were realized without writing a single line of new code; the only change was supplying the robot with new data. Building on this success, TRI has set an ambitious target of teaching hundreds of new skills by the end of the year and 1,000 by the end of 2024.
Today’s news also highlights that robots can be taught to function in new scenarios and perform a wide range of behaviors. These skills are not limited to just “‘pick and place” or simply picking up objects and putting them down in new locations. TRI’s robots can now interact with the world in varied and rich ways — which will one day allow robots to support people in everyday situations and unpredictable, ever-changing environments.
“The tasks that I’m watching these robots perform are simply amazing – even one year ago, I would not have predicted that we were close to this level of diverse dexterity,” remarked Russ Tedrake, Vice President of Robotics Research at TRI. Dr. Tedrake, who is also the Toyota Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Mechanical Engineering at MIT, explained, “What is so exciting about this new approach is the rate and reliability with which we can add new skills. Because these skills work directly from camera images and tactile sensing, using only learned representations, they are able to perform well even on tasks that involve deformable objects, cloth, and liquids — all of which have traditionally been extremely difficult for robots.”
Technical details:
TRI’s robot behavior model learns from haptic demonstrations from a teacher, combined with a language description of the goal. It then uses an AI-based Diffusion Policy to learn the demonstrated skill. This process allows a new behavior to be deployed autonomously from dozens of demonstrations. Not only does this approach produce consistent, repeatable, and performant results, but it does so with tremendous speed.
Key achievements of TRI’s research for this novel development include:
Diffusion Policy has been published at the 2023 Robotics Science and Systems conference. Additional technical information can be found on TRI’s Medium blog.
Please join our LinkedIn Live Q&A session on October 4th from 1 pm – 1:30 pm ET / 10 am – 10:30 am PT, for an opportunity to learn more and hear directly from the TRI robotics research team. Sign up for the event on TRI’s LinkedIn page.
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]]>The post FuelCell Energy and Toyota Announce Completion of World’s First “Tri-gen” Production System appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>The post FuelCell Energy and Toyota Announce Completion of World’s First “Tri-gen” Production System appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>The post Toyota Scientist Dr. John Muldoon Recognized for Contributions to Battery Technology appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>Dr. Muldoon’s outstanding research leadership has greatly contributed to Toyota’s ‘beyond lithium-ion’ battery research programs, shaping global research trends including multivalent ion, lithium sulfur and solid-state lithium metal batteries. Dr. Muldoon will be formally recognized for these two achievements in October at the 244th ECS Meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Battery Technology Award, and to be named a Fellow of the ECS, Class of 2023. I am deeply appreciative of all the strong support of my colleagues,” said Dr. Muldoon. “I am confident that Toyota will continue to push the boundaries of beyond lithium-ion and lithium-ion technologies to pave the way for the next-generation of batteries.”
Established in 1989, the designation of ECS Fellow is reserved for advanced individual technological contributions in the field of electrochemical and solid-state science and technology and for service to the Society. The Battery Division Technology Award, created in 1993, recognizes significant achievements in the development of battery and fuel cell technology.
“These recognitions are among the highest level from the world’s scientific community, and Toyota joins a small handful of organizations with significant contributions to battery field,” said Kristen Tabar, group vice president, Advanced Mobility Research and Development at Toyota Motor North America. “It is a testament to our commitment to innovation with superior research expertise that Toyota has in-house.”
Dr. Muldoon is an elected member of the ECS Battery Division committee and has been instrumental in the establishment of ECS symposiums on beyond Li-ion battery technologies. Further, Dr. Muldoon is an advocate for bridging fundamental research to application and supporting younger scientists. His cultivation of a relationship between the ECS and Toyota resulted in establishment of the ECS Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship in 2016. This award supports young professors and scholars pursuing innovative electrochemical research in green energy technology.
In addition to his technical contributions and involvement in the activities of ECS, Dr. Muldoon is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Chemistry, and an active member of the American Chemical Society and Material Research Society.
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]]>The post Toyota GR Cup Leverages Cutting-Edge Digital Trophies to Enhance Driver and Fan Engagement appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>“With the GR Cup Series, we see an opportunity to introduce technologies that will enhance the experience for our drivers and allow them to better engage with racing fans,” said Jack Irving, executive commercial director, TRD. “Blockchain helps us keep a permanent digital record of drivers’ achievements that they can share with their friends, family and fans. It also allows us to develop new opportunities to introduce race fans to our partners.”
The benefit of blockchain records is that they are non-fungible; they are a permanent source of truth for how drivers perform after each race weekend. As drivers head into this weekend’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville, they are able to quickly and easily access their accomplishments through the first three GR Cup weekends – Sonoma Raceway, Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, and Virginia International Raceway.
“We wanted to push the boundaries of what the driver experience means with the GR Cup Series, and the digital trophy program allows us to do that,” said TCNA technical program manager Tim Muttitt. “Blockchain technology allows us to do that and keep it authentic, with the GR Cup Series designed to focus on the talent behind the wheel. We’re enabling greater visibility to the drivers through this unique technology.”
Currently in its inaugural season, the GR Cup Series is sanctioned through SRO and provides drivers and teams the opportunity to compete at some of the most iconic racing venues in North America. The single-make series, featuring the Toyota GR86, consists of 14 races in total with double-headers at some of the U.S.’s most iconic tracks: COTA, Virginia International Raceway, Road America, Sebring International Raceway and the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
All GR86 Cup race cars start as stock vehicles that then go to GR Garage, TRD’s (Toyota Racing Development) new, state-of-the-art facility in Mooresville, North Carolina, to be modified for competition. Upon arrival at GR Garage, each GR86 is fitted with Bosch® engine management, custom Borla® exhaust, SADEV® 6-speed sequential transmission, Alcon® brakes, adjustable JRI Shocks®, OMP® safety equipment, roll cage, carbon fiber rear wing, 22-gallon fuel cell, TRD-designed MacPherson struts, Stratasys® custom bodywork, a TRD-designed splitter and more.
More information about the GR Cup can be found at GR Cup | Toyota.com.
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]]>The post Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center Expands Latest Phase of Research with New Projects appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>Additionally, Toyota announced that it has joined the Vulnerable Road User Injury Prevention Alliance (VIPA) at the University of Michigan International Center for Automotive Medicine (ICAM) to support ongoing research into crashes with shared road-users such as pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders. VIPA seeks to enhance industry-wide understanding of common scenarios between motor vehicles and non-vehicle road users that have historically led to crashes and injuries, with an aim to ultimately contribute to the development of effective mitigation or prevention measures.
Along with the 13 projects announced in 2022, the three new projects are part of the current five-year $30 million commitment to explore diverse safety needs and analyze inclusive mobility options that cater to various applications, physical characteristics and accessibility levels for individuals and society.
“Our new research projects exemplify CSRC’s dedication to our mission of improving safety in the automotive industry,” said Danil Prokhorov, director of Toyota’s CSRC. “By collaborating with researchers to study real-world problems related to mobility technologies, we aim to develop enhanced engineering tools and empower drivers to maximize the potential of advanced technologies.”
For the new projects, CSRC is leveraging the expertise of Massachusetts Institute of Technology Agelab, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, and Touchstone Evaluations, Inc., respectively. Findings from the research projects will be shared publicly, maximizing the impact of these collaborations to help advance a future safe mobility society.
The three new research projects are:
Toyota created the Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) in 2011 to advance mobility safety for industry and society through open collaborations with universities, hospitals and other institutions. With current commitments, to date CSRC has received $115 million for foundational and applied safety research, including development of tools and testing procedures related to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and research into human factors on vehicle safety, among others.
The current phase of research 2022 – 2026 at CSRC is focused three key tracks:
These new initiatives join CSRC’s roster of 98 research projects with more than 30 different institutions. To date, CSRC has published over 275 research papers and engaged more than 300 researchers, who have publicly shared the output globally. The projects have made meaningful contributions to help advance research and technology relating to the safe integration of future mobility solutions for all.
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]]>The post Joby Marks Production Launch, Receives Permit to Fly First Aircraft Built on Production Line in Close Collaboration with Strategic Partner and Investor, Toyota appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>Recognizing the key role Toyota has played in the design of Joby’s Pilot Production Line, as well as in the production and assembly of the Joby aircraft, Tetsuo “Ted” Ogawa, president and chief executive officer of Toyota Motor North America, will join more than 1,000 guests and team members at Joby’s Marina facility later today to celebrate the launch of production.
Ogawa, who will join Joby’s Board of Directors on July 1, 2023, said: “We congratulate Joby on reaching this milestone and look forward to working ever more closely as Joby prepares to scale production and start operations.”
Toyota is Joby’s largest external shareholder, having invested around $400 million in the Company, and the two companies recently signed a long-term agreement for the supply of powertrain and actuation components.
READ MORE FROM JOBY: https://www.jobyaviation.com/news/joby-production-launch-permit-to-fly-first-aircraft-on-production-line/
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]]>The post Toyota Research Institute Unveils New Generative AI Technique for Vehicle Design appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>“Generative AI tools are often used as inspiration for designers, but cannot handle the complex engineering and safety considerations that go into actual car design,” said Avinash Balachandran, director of TRI’s Human Interactive Driving (HID) Division, whose team worked on the technology. “This technique combines Toyota’s traditional engineering strengths with the state-of-the-art capabilities of modern generative AI.”
TRI researchers released two papers describing how the technique incorporates precise engineering constraints into the design process. Constraints like drag (which affects fuel efficiency) and chassis dimensions like ride height and cabin dimensions (which affect handling, ergonomics, and safety) can now be implicitly incorporated into the generative AI process. The team tied principles from optimization theory, used extensively for computer-aided engineering, to text-to-image-based generative AI. The resulting algorithm allows the designer to optimize engineering constraints while maintaining their text-based stylistic prompts to the generative AI process.
As an example, a designer can request, via text prompt, a suite of designs based on an initial prototype sketch with specific stylistic properties like “sleek,” “SUV-like,” and “modern” while also optimizing a quantitative performance metric. In the research paper, the team focused specifically on aerodynamic drag. The approach can also optimize any other performance metrics or constraints inferred from a design image.
“TRI is harnessing the creative power of AI to amplify automobile designers and engineers,” said Charlene Wu, senior director of TRI’s Human-Centered AI (HCAI) Division, whose team collaborated with the Human Interactive Driving team on this project.
By incorporating engineering constraints directly into the design process, this tool could also help Toyota design electrified vehicles more quickly and efficiently.
“Reducing drag is critical for improving the aerodynamics of BEVs to maximize their range,” said Takero Kato, BEV factory president, Toyota Motor Corporation.
For more technical details on this new technique, refer to the following two papers, available at:
Interpreting and Improving Diffusion Models Using the Euclidean Distance Function, F. Permenter, C. Yuan, 2023.
Drag-guided diffusion models for vehicle image generation, N. Arechiga, F. Permenter, B. Song, C. Yuan, 2023.
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]]>The post Toyota to Build New Automotive Battery Lab at Michigan R&D Headquarters, Expanding Electrified Vehicle Development Capability in the U.S. appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>“This new investment in our North American R&D operation, which has been a key pillar of the Michigan automotive industry for more than 50 years, shows Toyota’s directional shift towards electrification for all,” said Shinichi Yasui, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), Research and Development. “By adding these critical evaluation capabilities around automotive batteries, our team is positioned to better serve the needs of our customers, including Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, the latter of which will soon be assembling the recently announced all-new, three-row, battery electric SUV.”
The team will also work with other North American partner suppliers to incorporate locally-produced battery parts and materials in support of Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to reducing carbon emissions through its portfolio of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and battery electric product offerings.
Beyond battery development, other lab activities are expected to include evaluations using Level 2 and Level 3 charging as well as connectivity to power sources and infrastructure. Further, chassis dynamometers at both Toyota R&D campuses in York Township and Ann Arbor are being upgraded to accommodate full battery electric vehicle evaluations.
“With increasing production for electrification coming to North America, it’s important to have local supporting infrastructure, but more importantly it enables us to invest in team members and technology development,” said Jordan Choby, group vice president of Powertrain at TMNA R&D. “This new facility also enables us to experiment and pursue new opportunities as technology and business needs advance.”
In addition to working with current battery production, lab engineers will explore new battery configurations for future products. Their research may also contribute to Toyota’s development of new electrified vehicle architectures. Toyota will explore further expansion of the lab’s capabilities and opportunities for supporting the needs of the battery and BEV ecosystem.
The new facility will be included in Toyota’s enrollment in DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program. This voluntary renewable energy program enables all of Toyota’s Research and Development operations in Michigan to attribute 100% of its electricity use to renewable energy projects starting in 2026.
“Today’s investment by Toyota demonstrates Michigan’s leadership in pioneering the future of mobility,” said Governor Whitmer. “The $50 million investment in a new laboratory facility to evaluate electric vehicle batteries will create high-skilled, good-paying jobs in Saline and support efforts to help electric vehicles run longer and go farther than ever before. Last week, I announced the Make It In Michigan plan, a strategy to compete for projects, invest in people, and revitalize places. Let’s continue working to grow Michigan’s economy, bring supply chains home, and lead the future of batteries and electric vehicles.”
A pioneer in electrified vehicles, Toyota has put more than 23 million hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell electric and battery electric vehicles on the road globally. The company currently offers 22 electrified vehicle options in the U.S. across the Toyota and Lexus brands, the most among any automaker. By 2025, the company plans to have an electrified option available for every Toyota and Lexus model globally.
Over the last two years, the company has invested more than $8 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations primarily to support its product electrification efforts. On a global scale, Toyota plans to invest more than $70 billion in vehicle electrification by 2030.
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]]>The post Toyota Ramps Up Commitment to Electrification with U.S. BEV Production and Additional Battery Plant Investment appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>“We are committed to reducing carbon emissions as much as possible and as soon as possible,” said Ted Ogawa, president and chief executive officer, Toyota Motor North America. “To achieve this goal, customers must have access to a portfolio of options that meet their needs now and in the future. It is exciting to see our largest U.S. plant, Toyota Kentucky, and our newest plant, Toyota North Carolina, drive us into the future together with BEV and battery production for our expanding electrified lineup.”
Kentucky to Launch Toyota’s First U.S. BEV
Today’s announcement confirms that Toyota Kentucky will lead the company’s vehicle carbon reduction efforts with its first U.S.–assembled BEV, a 3-row SUV.
“Toyota Kentucky set the standard for Toyota vehicle manufacturing in the U.S. and now we’re leading the charge with BEVs,” said Susan Elkington, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky. “Our incredible team of Kentuckians is excited to take on this new challenge while delivering the same great quality and reliability that our customers expect.”
The decision to assemble a BEV in the U.S. demonstrates the company’s belief in electric vehicles and its commitment to design, engineer and produce vehicles for the market.
“This is incredible news that furthers Kentucky as the center of the electric vehicle sector,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. “Toyota has long been a vital part of the automotive industry in the commonwealth, and now the company is positioned to help lead us into the future. I want to thank the company’s leaders for their commitment to our state’s incredible workforce, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Toyota and Kentucky.”
North Carolina Brings the Power
Toyota is investing $2.1 billion in its North Carolina battery manufacturing plant for new infrastructure to support future expansion. This brings total investment in Toyota North Carolina to $5.9 billion.
“Toyota’s significant investment in our state, now nearly $6 billion, is terrific news and more evidence that North Carolina is a leader in the clean energy economy,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “Toyota believes in our world-class workforce to power its future success and I appreciate this enormous commitment here.”
The facility will be Toyota’s hub for developing and producing lithium-ion batteries needed for its expanding portfolio of electrified vehicles. Production at the Liberty plant is slated to begin in 2025 with six battery production lines, four for hybrid electric vehicles and two for BEVs.
“The future is bright at Toyota North Carolina,” said Sean Suggs, president, Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina. “With this proactive infrastructure investment, we will be able to quickly support future expansion opportunities to meet growing customer need.”
Additional Quotes from North Carolina Officials
“Toyota’s continued commitment in North Carolina confirms our status as a manufacturing powerhouse,” said North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger. “This expansion further cements our thriving partnership, and it wouldn’t be possible without the reforms the General Assembly implemented to transform North Carolina into a jobs-friendly state.”
“Toyota and the State of North Carolina have formed a strong partnership that will transform the future for North Carolina,” said Tim Moore, Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives. “Our state has proven to be –again and again – one of the best locations for companies of all sizes to do business, and Toyota’s continued investment in our state is indicative of that recognition.”
Clear Leader in Electrification
A pioneer in electrified vehicles, Toyota has put more than 23 million hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell electric and battery electric vehicles on the road globally – more than all other automakers combined. The company currently offers 22 electrified vehicle options in the U.S. across the Toyota and Lexus brands, the most among any automaker. By 2025, the company plans to have an electrified option available for every Toyota and Lexus model globally.
Over the last two years, the company has invested more than $8 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations primarily to support its product electrification efforts.
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]]>The post New Toyota Production Line Boosts Hybrid Vehicle Capabilities appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>This advancement reflects a core goal of the Georgetown facility’s transformation to increase flexibility to align with a shifting market. The new line will supply 2.4L turbo and 2.5L engines for hybrid Toyota and Lexus products, with the ability to increase hybrid volume as needed to meet customer demand.
“With this exclusive new flexible line beginning production, we continue delivering products that meet customer preferences and needs,” said Mark Klee, head of powertrain at Toyota Kentucky. “We are proud of this accomplishment, a direct result of our entire team’s continued commitment to innovation.”
In addition to providing engines for vehicles assembled on site, Toyota Kentucky’s powertrain plant supplies engines to six of the automaker’s seven vehicle plants across North America. In December 2023, it will become the sole manufacturer of dual-stacked hydrogen fuel cell modules for use in commercial heavy-duty trucks.
“Our Kentucky team continues to set the standard in innovation and advanced manufacturing,” said Susan Elkington, president of Toyota Kentucky. “Our recent investments are paying off as we are now able to expand the products our facility produces, provide a variety of choices to our customers and lead the company’s electrification plans in the U.S.”
Toyota is the leader in electrified vehicles with more on the road than all other automakers combined, and it’s not stopping there. The company will introduce 23 new, refreshed or special edition vehicles in 2023, and plans to launch battery electric vehicle (BEV) production in North America as recently announced by Toyota Motor Corporation President Koji Sato.
Toyota continues to invest heavily in its North American manufacturing operations, nearly $3 billion in 2022 alone, mainly supporting the company’s electrification efforts. Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, the company’s newest North American facility, will begin production of lithium-ion batteries in 2025 for use in Toyota hybrid electric vehicles and BEVs.
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]]>The post One Press of the Eco Button in a Toyota or Lexus Can Make a World of Difference appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>In a world of more than 8 billion people, it turns out that even making the smallest changes can make a positive collective impact. Case-in-point: Driving in Eco or EV mode in gas and hybrid vehicles.
Engineers and data scientists from data and mobility services company Toyota Connected North America (TCNA) set out to see how much one push of a button could reduce drivers’ carbon emissions. From April 19-25, TCNA recorded data in real-time from more than 2,000 participating corporate-owned Toyota and Lexus vehicles, recording more than 483,000 miles in Eco or EV mode throughout the week. Data scientists compared data from driving in Eco mode a baseline of daily driving taken before the campaign to measure improvements. The TCNA team sifted through more than 2.5 million miles from all participating and non-participating vehicles.
From that sample, the estimated collective impact of the study participants’ emission reductions were:
“We have the ability to use data to help empower customers so that they can make a difference,” said Brian Kursar, chief technology officer, TCNA. “While this study focused on Toyota-owned vehicles, we know there are millions of connected Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the U.S. If everyone drove in Eco mode, it could help greatly reduce our collective CO2 output. Given how successful this internal campaign was, we’d love to see where we can take this initiative, and we hope we inspire other automakers to do the same.”
Kursar continued: “Toyota and Lexus drivers come from all walks of life and live in all kinds of places. Some have long commutes; some may live in rural areas with little fueling infrastructure. Our goal is to meet them where they’re at and use our expertise to help them today, no matter what they drive.”
TCNA found in its initial study that using the Eco mode could reduce tailpipe CO2 output in a hybrid by 4% — because it already captures energy from brakes and downhill coasting. Or, in a full internal-combustion engine vehicle, data scientists found using the Eco button could reduce tailpipe CO2 by up to 26%. The benefit of Eco mode is that it remaps throttle inputs for gentler acceleration and optimizes the HVAC to conserve energy.
“Toyota companies are dedicated to helping reduce carbon emissions to advance achieving a net-zero society and are challenging ourselves to how we can continually help our drivers do the same,” said Olarinre Salako, senior data scientist, TCNA. “Connected cars open up a world to see how we can use data for good and how we can unlock the full potential of our Toyota and Lexus vehicles.”
“To get to a carbon-neutral society, we’re all going to have to pitch in,” said Kursar. Pressing one button in your car to activate Eco mode is one small contribution that our data scientists have shown can benefit everyone.”
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]]>The post Toyota Research Institute Invests Over $100M in Collaborative Research Program with U.S. Universities appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>The program expanded during 2022 to include 21 university partners and 61 projects focused on energy and materials, human-centered artificial intelligence, human interactive driving, machine learning, and robotics.
“We are deeply satisfied with the results of our partnerships with this outstanding group of institutions and researchers,” said Eric Krotkov, who leads the university research program. “We believe that collaboration is the key to tackling society’s biggest challenges and are confident that this program will continue to achieve new breakthroughs.”
Each project consists of a TRI researcher working with a university team in a close collaboration bridging academia and industry.
“TRI’s collaborations with universities bring a wealth of knowledge and new ideas to our research efforts,” said Brian Storey, senior director of energy and materials at TRI. “This program both helps us create innovative technologies and fosters the next generation of innovative leaders.”
The last year alone saw three papers win awards at the Robotics: Science and Systems Conference (RSS). Some project highlights from the program include:
Advanced Robotic Capabilities
The Columbia Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) Lab led by Computer Science Assistant Professor Shuran Song partnered with TRI to develop robotic capabilities that can handle deformable, non-rigid objects that can fold, bend, and change shape. These advancements were successfully tested by having robots fold laundry and manipulate flexible bags. Her team won a Best Paper Award at RSS 2022 for developing an algorithm called the Iterative Residual Policy (IRP), a general learning framework for repeatable tasks with complex dynamics.
“Working with TRI has been an incredible experience. The partnership has allowed us to leverage industry-level resources, which have been critical in driving our research forward,” said Shuran Song. “I am honored to have the opportunity to work with such a great team, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together in the future.”
Fuel Cell Catalyst Durability
Both hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen electrolyzers require catalyst materials that utilize expensive and rare elements such as platinum and iridium. A long-standing challenge is to find replacement materials that use more abundant elements. However, all proposed alternatives don’t last long in an operating environment before they dissolve. The laboratories led by Professor Thomas Jaramillo at Stanford University and Associate Scientist Michaela Burke Stevens at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) are working with TRI researchers to create data-driven theories of catalyst durability by using a novel experimental technique that enables real-time measurement of even the smallest amounts of dissolving materials.
Computational Governor
Professor Ilya Kolmanovsky’s research team at the University of Michigan developed a governor architecture that could be used to speed up the execution time of a model predictive control (MPC) control system solution. TRI researchers collaborated on and took inspiration from this project to create a solution for Toyota Motors that solves a vehicle controller problem where sudden changes to setpoints would cause unresponsiveness.
“I believe our project is an exemplar of how TRI combines industry and academic knowledge, expertise, and capabilities to develop solutions that ultimately lead to real-world impact,” said Ilya Kolmanovsky. ”This is, without any doubt, one of the best research collaborations that I have ever had.”
TRI plans to continue the program into 2024 with new additional high-risk, high-reward projects to accelerate the development of key technologies for Toyota.
Learn more about TRI’s research efforts on Medium.
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]]>The post PACCAR and Toyota Expand Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck Collaboration to Include Commercialization appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>PACCAR and Toyota have collaborated on FCEV truck development for the past several years, including a successful pilot program which deployed ten Kenworth T680 FCEV trucks at the Port of Los Angeles. The pilot provided both Kenworth and Toyota with real-world feedback that further enhanced the performance and range of the vehicle. Designed for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles, Toyota’s heavy-duty fuel cell electric powertrain kit was recently awarded the Zero Emission Powertrain certification by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Toyota will begin assembly of the modules in the United States in late 2023.
John Rich, PACCAR chief technology officer, commented, “Having worked extensively with the Toyota team, we are confident that our combined efforts can deliver industry leading FCEV trucks with all of the quality, reliability and aftermarket support that Kenworth and Peterbilt customers depend upon. This partnership further expands PACCAR’s industry-leading lineup of zero emissions vehicles that enhance customers’ operational efficiency and reduce their environmental impact.”
“We are excited to work with PACCAR to realize a future where Toyota’s industry leading hydrogen fuel cell technology can power heavy-duty trucks that will travel across highways throughout the U.S. with zero emissions,” said Christopher Yang, TMNA group vice president of Business Development. “This innovative technology enables us to provide our commercial customers with a viable carbon-neutral option to further their business, while also contributing to Toyota’s mission to reduce and ultimately eliminate carbon from the environment.”
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]]>The post Toyota Receives Zero Emission CARB Executive Order for HD Fuel Cell Electric Powertrain Kit appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>CARB’s ZEP Executive Order certifies that a powertrain complies with CARB regulations for zero-emission powertrains determined to meet specific emissions standards required for sale in California. OEMs using Toyota’s certified powertrain may also be eligible for other available incentives, such as CARB’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), the Clean Truck Fund (CTF) introduced last year by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and certain federal incentives.
“Toyota aims to reduce or eliminate emissions for all mobility solutions, and our fuel cell electric powertrains have proven that hydrogen can play a significant role in the emissions reduction of emissions from heavy-duty transportation,” said Scott Friedman, senior program manager advanced mobility, Toyota Motor North America. “Receiving the Zero-Emission Powertrain Executive Order from CARB is a key achievement for our teams who have dedicated an incredible amount of time and effort, and we are excited to offer this powertrain commercially in the near future.”
Toyota’s efforts with hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck powertrains started with Project Portal back in 2017. Toyota has developed multiple generations of powertrain prototypes during development, such as those found the Alpha and Beta trucks that logged nearly 14,000 miles of testing and real-world drayage operations in and around the Port of Los Angeles.
Yet, it was the generation of truck named “Ocean” that showed some of the greatest examples of how hydrogen-based powertrains with fuel cell stacks could be used in real-world applications such as drayage, through a proof-of-concept demonstration at the Port of Los Angeles as part of the Zero-and-Near-Zero Emission Freight Facilities’ “Shore to Store” Project (ZANZEFF). For the project, Toyota worked with Kenworth to develop trucks using an updated prototype fuel cell electric powertrain and deployed 10 Kenworth T680 Class 8 trucks. The 10 trucks served real-world customers via drayage routes, with infrastructure support from Shell, hauling cargo between the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and the LA Basin.
Toyota’s CARB ZEP-certified powertrain kit is now ready for commercialization, with production slated to start for customers later this year at the company’s Kentucky manufacturing plant. This newest generation of powertrain reflects key learnings and improvements in things like energy efficiency, package size, and more from extensive real-world testing and development from the company’s fuel cell development engineering team. Fuel cell electric powertrains are advantageous for heavy- and medium-duty transport when compared to other all-electric options, such as battery electric, as they are often lighter to allow for more payload, and they offer more uptime thanks to fueling times that are much closer to conventional diesel powertrains.
“We believe hydrogen will play a significant role in the emissions reduction of heavy-duty transport while not sacrificing the distance, power, or fueling times needed to keep these fleet and individual operators running,” said Chris Rovik, executive program manager, advanced mobility, Toyota Motor North America. “Fuel cell technology is scalable, and we believe it will take an increasingly visible and important role in our collective fight to reduce and eliminate carbon as we move towards a hydrogen society.”
From creating one of the world’s first mass market passenger fuel cell electric vehicle in the Mirai, to applying and scaling the technology now to other applications that can benefit from zero-emissions, including heavy-duty transport, power generation systems, and others, Toyota’s research and development with hydrogen fuel cell technology spans nearly 30 years.
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]]>The post Toyota ‘Empact’ Vision Addresses Sustainability, EV Charging Equity in Underserved Communities appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>“Our vision will be our guide as we work with local and state officials to identify communities where Empact might help address issues related to EV charging access and affordability,” said Christopher Reynolds, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Corporate Resources, Toyota Motor North America. “Providing EV charging solutions will empower consumers to make decisions that will not only have a positive impact on the environment but accelerate the adoption of electrified vehicles as well.”
To address access to charging, Toyota will work with partners and cities to identify ideal locations for charging station deployment to serve customers more efficiently. Initially, targeted locations will include places without off-street or private parking, including areas of higher population density in multi-family housing.
For affordability, Toyota will explore how to enable more cost-effective public charging to allow for greater adoption of battery electric vehicles. Today, DC fast charging can be up to nearly three times more expensive than home charging, which disproportionately burdens those who rely on public charging. Toyota will also continue providing a portfolio of electrified vehicle options as part of the “Beyond Zero” vision, including four hybrid electric vehicles starting under $31,000, two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and the all-electric Toyota bZ4X. Lexus also provides eight electrified vehicle options, including the all-electric RZ 450e. Toyota’s KINTO mobility solution is exploring how to support this endeavor by improving access to zero-emission rental vehicles for business or personal use, allowing more drivers to benefit from battery electric vehicles without the expense of vehicle ownership.
The third area Toyota will focus on is reducing emissions associated with vehicle charging, helping to improve air quality for all citizens but especially those in underserved communities who often face a disproportionate share of the burden. The company has already started working with WattTime, a nonprofit organization that recommends times to charge battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles when charging from the grid is forecasted to have lower carbon emissions or is likely to have a lower potential health impact over the long term to people who live near power plants. Additionally, Toyota’s Clean Assist opt-in program allows U.S. customers with an active Remote Connect trial or subscription and a Toyota or Lexus BEV, or Toyota or Lexus PHEV in California, to get 100 percent of their charge matched with renewable electricity.
Toyota will advance the implementation of its Empact vision on a per-project basis, with the first programs being announced later this year.
Toyota’s electrification efforts have put more than 22 million electrified models on the road – more than all other automakers combined. Through 2030, Toyota will invest more than $70 billion globally in vehicle electrification including up to $35 billion in battery electric vehicles. In the U.S., Toyota currently offers 14 electrified vehicles, including the battery electric bZ4X, fuel cell electric Mirai, and the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime. The Lexus brand currently offers 8 electrified models, including the all-electric RZ 450e as well as the plug-in hybrid electrics NX and forthcoming RX PHEV.
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]]>The post Toyota North America on Path to Achieve 100% Renewable Energy for Michigan Operations Through DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower Program appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
]]>“Renewable energy programs like DTE’s MIGreenPower program are crucial to helping companies seeking a reduced carbon footprint to achieve their goals,” said Kevin Butt, director of Environmental Sustainability for TMNA. “From our R&D facilities in Michigan to our production and corporate facilities across the nation, Toyota aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout our operations by 2035.”
MIGreenPower is among the largest voluntary renewable energy programs in the United States. The program enables DTE Electric’s residential and business customers to attribute an even greater percentage of their electricity use to Michigan-made wind and solar projects beyond the 15% DTE already provides. To date, the company has more than 800 businesses enrolled in the program along with more than 85,000 residential customers. On an annual basis, MIGreenPower customers have enrolled four million megawatt hours of clean energy in the program, which has the environmental benefit equivalent to avoiding more than three million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually or the greenhouse gas emissions from more than 630,000 gasoline-powered passenger cars.³ Program participation is accelerating the development of new wind and solar projects in Michigan. By 2026, DTE will add more than 2,000 MW of new clean energy projects to meet program demand.
“We are excited to welcome Toyota to the MIGreenPower program,” said Brian Calka, vice president, Renewable Sales and Project Development for DTEEnergy. “Toyota joins a growing list of Michigan-based automotive manufacturers and suppliers who are enrolling in MIGreenPower to meet their sustainability goals. Currently, more than 70% of MIGreenPower business customers are involved in the automotive sector.”
DTE is Michigan’s largest producer of and investor in renewable energy and is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In its CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan filed in November 2022 with the Michigan Public Service Commission, DTE proposed increasing investment in solar and wind energy, accelerating the retirement of coal plants, and investing in the development of new energy storage – all reinforcing DTE’s commitment to cleaner energy. If the new plan is approved, the company will add more than 15,000 megawatts of new renewable energy projects over the next two decades.
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