Toyota Debuts Mind-Reading Car with Microsoft Kinect Sensors

Global carmakers continue to innovate the automotive world, although some of their concepts have almost zero chances to step into production.

Such is the case of the so-called Smart Insect concept developed by Toyota, a prototype that’s now on display at CEATEC.

The concept is equipped with a Microsoft Kinect sensor for facial recognition and can act accordingly depending on the driver’s moves. The carmaker says the concept can predict the driver’s intentions and can even act as a mind reader.

Once the driver approaches the car, it automatically scans his face and his body shape. If access is granted, then the car opens the doors and waits for new input. Personalized voice commands are available once the driver jumps in, thanks to a very advanced voice recognition system.

The Smart Insect, which stands for Information Network Social Electric City Transporter, greets the driver by flashing the headlights and saying “hello.” It’s powered by an electric motor, with batteries to be charged via a regular 100-volt AC outlet.

“A ‘virtual agent’ at the Toyota Smart Center recognizes the driver's voice and predicts his or her intentions, setting the destination and operating various functions of the vehicle, such as the foglamps and audio system,” said Toyota.

Besides the Microsoft Kinect technology, the car can also be paired with a smartphone and it even provides access to cloud services to easily access your files and documents.

Obviously, Toyota hasn’t said anything about a potential production version and, as far as we’re concerned, chances are that the Insect will remain in concept shape for many years from now on.