Toyota’s Concept-i next-gen car reads passenger emotions

The technology trade show in Las Vegas opened its doors for the first time on Thursday, with around 170,000 visitors expected across four days.

The Concept-i (pictured) is powered by voice controls that can read passenger emotions.

Many flocked to car giant Toyota’s booth to see the firm’s Concept-i car, which instead of buttons and screens is interacted with using voice. The built-in virtual assistant Yui uses artificial intelligence to measure emotions based on passenger responses and alters the car’s settings accordingly, Toyota says.

The car also has autonomous features and can park itself.

However only 300 of the FF91, which the firm says will challenge Tesla, have so far been announced as going into production.

There were also concept cars on show from less traditional sources, as appliance firm Bosch presented a car it says could become the “third living space” alongside home and work.

The concept includes voice and facial recognition software to personalise the car, as well as driverless capabilities and an internet connection to enable passengers to carry out other tasks safely.

Corning, a company that specialises in glass production - notably the Gorilla Glass used on some smartphones - also had a concept car on display.

The car had been fitted with Gorilla Glass windows and sunroof and windscreen, which Corning says reduces the car’s weight by up to 30 per cent, improving braking and fuel efficiency.

The windscreen also had augmented reality capabilities and could be used to display relevant information.

Meanwhile, Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn told CES visitors that the automaker is committing itself to advancing its self-driving capabilities.

The company has developed an autonomous system which uses a human driver as fallback in the event that something goes wrong with the technology.

Ghosn said the company would begin deploying its Seamless Autonomous Mobility (SAM) system, which uses artificial intelligence and is derived from Nasa technology.

“We invite others to join us, as well, from tech partners to e-commerce companies, ride-hailing and car-sharing platforms, and social entrepreneurs who can help us to test and develop new vehicles and services, and make sure everyone has access to the latest technologies and services that bring value to their lives,” he said.