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Toyota Debuts 'Mind-Reading' Concept Car

Smart Insect car can spot its driver using facial-recognition technology and anticipate driving behavior.

By Claire_Martin Oct 2, 2012 6:01AM
Toyota Insect © Toyota Motor

The Toyota Smart Insect concept is perhaps the most in-tune a car and driver can be with each other. The single-seat Insect (short for  Information Network Social Electric City Transporter) knows its driver thanks to facial-recognition technology, and it can predict driving behavior. 


It makes its debut at an electronics exhibit in Japan today.

 

Front-mounted sensors with facial-recognition technology know when a driver is approaching and flash the headlights in a greeting.

 

The car uses a "virtual agent" at the Toyota Smart Center that recognizes the driver's voice and can make predictions regarding his intentions. The virtual agent operates things such as fog lamps and the stereo system, and can turn on the air conditioner or unlock the car while the driver is sitting at home -- an automated car butler of sorts.

 

Will the Insect usher in an era of mind-reading cars? Or one in which cars take over as man's best friend? Would that be a good thing? Share your comments below.

 

[Source: Toyota]


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28Comments
Say it isnt so Sony
Oct 2, 2012 8:31AM
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Don't need it.  I just have my wife sit next to me, she always tells me what to do anyways !!!
Xarkzila The Yak Herder (Xarkzila)
Oct 2, 2012 7:50AM
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And what will it do when a schizophrenic tries to drive it?
Dirty Tacoma
Oct 2, 2012 7:39AM
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If I am driving down the road and have a "turtle head" poking it's way out, will the car sense that I am in deep trouble and accelerate to get me to the closest bathroom?

-concerned citizen.

GREAT POOBAH
Oct 2, 2012 7:38AM
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A mind reading car??????? HAHAHA!!!!!!!!

 

  I know a LOT of people that hadn't better even THINK about getting one of these things, because the car would have nothing to do.....

Retired SFC
Oct 2, 2012 8:29AM
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THE WAY SOME PEOPLE AROUND HERE DRIVE WHAT WILL THIS CAR DO WHEN IT DRAWS A BLANK?
Mike Pelayo (miaplastik)
Oct 2, 2012 8:59AM
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I wonder if it will say " you are driving like an A----H---, slow down you idiot", that would help

Walter Delashmit
Oct 2, 2012 8:21AM
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Now this is scary. A "Mind reading Car?" I may not be thinking about driving. Can this car do "road rage" also? How about "f%%$$@ ypou?


MrRay6
Oct 2, 2012 8:07AM
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What happens if you have a stressful day and just want to scream at the other drivers? 
jknap
Oct 2, 2012 8:39AM
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lol author of article confused about "mind reading" and "facial recognition".
Squaremonkey
Oct 2, 2012 7:45AM
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 Just what do you think you're doing, Dave? ... will they never learn?
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