An AI called Electra could help Toyota drivers reduce their environmental impact by up to 10 percent
January 17, 2024 at 17:15
–> 
–>
Since the rise of ChatGPT, artificial intelligence has become the new hotness in the automotive industry, and Toyota is introducing its own voice assistant. However, its large language model tool will be focused on improving fuel economy.
Dubbed “Electra,” Toyota describes the system as a voice-activated AI “eco-pilot” that is now available across its entire fleet of modern vehicles. The product of work conducted by the Toyota Research Institute, the system has been trained on automotive and climate data sets.
Toyota says that Electra draws on that information to analyze roadway conditions and environmental factors to help drivers improve their fuel efficiency. The automaker claims that this system can help reduce the environmental impact of a trip by up to 10 percent.
advertisement scroll to continue
Read: New Mercedes Assistant Will Speak To You Like A Friend And Match Your Mood
Toyota hasn’t yet revealed specifically how Electra will encourage drivers to improve their fuel economy, but does say that it will connect to the internet to get the latest information available, and will learn from repeated trips with owners. Based on that information, it will formulate suggestions that are the most appropriate for each driver.
Other tech companies, like Google, have used data to improve fuel economy with simple routing adjustments. The American tech company said last year that giving drivers the option of a route that saves the most fuel helped offset 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 in its first year-and-a-bit on the market.
“Electra embodies our commitment to our drivers’ changing concerns in our quickly changing climate,” said TRI CEO Gill Pratt. “Electric vehicles are needed, so Toyota is diversifying what electric can mean. Letting Electra take the wheel helps drivers grow into their eco-consciousness regardless of what’s under the hood.”
Toyota says that drivers can download Electra as a firmware update on newer vehicles. Owners are invited to contact their nearest dealership for assistance, if they need it.
