Toyota, a leading Japanese automaker, is making a significant move in the autonomous vehicle space by investing in TRI-AD, a new joint venture focused on developing cutting-edge technologies. This initiative will be led by Toyota along with two major auto parts suppliers, Aisin Seiki and Denso. The company plans to invest $2.8 billion into TRI-AD over time and hire 1,000 employees to work on advanced self-driving systems that can make independent decisions. This effort aims to strengthen Toyota’s position in the competitive autonomous driving market.
Looking ahead, TRI-AD will serve as a key division of the Toyota Research Institute (TRI), which was founded in 2015. With an initial investment of $1 billion, TRI has been actively developing AI technologies for use in Toyota vehicles. Currently, the institute is focusing on both fully autonomous vehicles and driver-assist systems. Notably, it has already demonstrated some of its advancements through the Lexus LS 600hL test car and showcased simplified hardware at CES 2018. In the future, TRI will continue to explore two main directions: full autonomy and assisted driving systems.
The TRI-AD headquarters will be located in Tokyo, with Toyota holding a 90% stake, while Aisin Seiki and Denso each own 5%. The goal is to create a highly integrated, scalable autopilot system that combines Toyota's software developments with external innovations. Dr. James Kuffner, CEO of the Toyota Research Institute, will also lead TRI-AD. He emphasized that producing high-quality, mass-produced software is crucial for the success of Toyota’s autonomous technology efforts. TRI-AD’s mission includes recruiting top software engineers globally to accelerate development and enhance Toyota’s competitive edge.
In February 2018, Toyota Ventures, the company’s venture capital arm, invested in May Mobility, a startup specializing in low-speed autonomous vehicles for campuses and urban areas. This strategic move highlights Toyota’s commitment to integrating external technologies and expanding its autonomous driving capabilities.
As more automakers enter the self-driving space, many are choosing to partner with external tech firms or acquire startups to boost their R&D efforts. For example, General Motors recently launched the all-electric Chevy Bolt with a fully automated driving system powered by Cruise Automation, which it acquired in 2016. Similarly, Ford spent $1 billion acquiring Argo AI, another autonomous technology startup.
Meanwhile, companies like Waymo—originally part of Google—are shifting their focus toward collaborating with automakers rather than building cars themselves. Waymo has partnered with Fiat-Chrysler to develop autonomous vehicles, signaling a growing trend in the industry where tech companies provide end-to-end solutions for automakers. This collaborative approach is becoming essential as the race for autonomous driving intensifies.
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