Toyota Focuses On Developing Cars For The Elderly

Prof. Ryuta Kawashima, who helped develop Nintendo's "Brain Age" games, is teaming up with Toyota to develop intelligent cars that will help seniors drive safely, the researcher said Tuesday.

"We envision future cars will be able to monitor brain and emotional activity to back up elderly drivers," said Kawashima, a Tohoku University scientist who worked on Nintendo Co.'s best-selling "Brain Age" games — and whose smiling image is the guide in the series.

Among technologies on the table at a joint study group are an intelligent system that can determine the driving patterns of drivers and curb any dangerous activity, Kawashima said.

Rupert - 12/19/2007 10:35:48 AM

+5 Boost

I thought they already did?


Oooo I'm so quick and witty.

jimmyjump - 12/19/2007 10:44:36 AM

-3 Boost

You beat me to it. Considering the average age of Toyota buyers is ~52yrs I would also say this is already happening.

Just dont make the gages in size 96 font like the buicks of old. Gag.

Agent009 - 12/19/2007 10:47:18 AM

0 Boost

well it makes sense. If you demographic is older than the cars need to appeal to the that market.

Think a defibrillator will be an option?

answer - 12/19/2007 1:34:15 PM

+5 Boost

Bond's Aston had a defibrillator in Casino Royale.

That thing comes in handy!

M53R - 12/19/2007 12:35:39 PM

+11 Boost

LMAO!

Agent009 - 12/19/2007 10:37:22 PM

0 Boost

Kinda cute isn't she!

carguy68 - 12/19/2007 11:50:56 AM

-1 Boost

your quick Rupert ha ha

enthusiastx11 - 12/19/2007 11:53:20 AM

+4 Boost

too funny. is there a new lexus coming out?

EL34 - 12/19/2007 12:28:02 PM

-2 Boost

Buick are going for younger drivers while Toyota are going for older drivers.

Who ever thought up this stunt at Toyota should be fired!

DaHarder - 12/19/2007 12:53:41 PM

+5 Boost

Bay Boomers are plentiful in the US of A, and they tend to have been very wise about retirement planning...

Good Demographic To Target.

w209w114 - 12/19/2007 12:58:00 PM

-1 Boost

Average age of Lexus buyers is 60. So I dont know how much "elderly" you can get, But seriously, a walking stick intergrated on the door would be interesting kind of like the Rolls Phantom has with the umbrella.

theoptimisticpessimist - 12/19/2007 1:35:15 PM

-1 Boost

Oh God, ouch, my head hurts, too many old people and Toyota jokes.

enthusiastx11 - 12/19/2007 6:29:39 PM

+2 Boost

GS: you are mistaken.
fast: you are correct.

enthusiastx11 - 12/20/2007 1:19:14 AM

-1 Boost

GS:

try pulling from a RELIABLE source.

EL34 - 12/19/2007 1:46:49 PM

-2 Boost

How long does it take to self-park an LS460?

Check out the latest Blimp and Driver for the answer ;)

RealitySmack - 12/19/2007 4:43:12 PM

+3 Boost

I wonder how long it takes you to park? Probably worse than LS460...?

KillBot - 12/19/2007 1:47:32 PM

+2 Boost

WHY, GOD, WHY!!!!!? If they don't make enough boring, I mean sensible, cars as it is. I'm from Florida and because of living there, I now hate, Mercury's, Buick's, and every other boat that clogs up my roadways. The ONLY way that I will approve of such a dull idea is if Toyota puts a self drive system in their senior citizen cars. To keep them from going 45 in the left lane!!!

XYZZ - 12/20/2007 4:39:52 AM

+2 Boost

yeah, all you jokesters can laugh about this, but it is in fact BRILLAINT marketing on toyota's part. they are simply RECOGNIZING the shifting demographics as Boomers age.

while all the mercury and buick and caddy drivers are crashing and KILLING THEMSELVES OFF, toyota's seniors will KEEP ALIVE (even if they do clog the roads) and CONTINUE BUYING toyotas! ha ha.

EL34 - 12/19/2007 2:54:25 PM

0 Boost

Get a free set of dentures with the purchase of any Toyota.

enthusiastx11 - 12/20/2007 1:20:52 AM

-1 Boost

GS:

you're really out of touch. bmw, mercedes, lexus...all well ABOVE AVERAGE in jd powers quality ratings.

XYZZ - 12/20/2007 4:49:00 AM

+2 Boost

yeah, but jdp's 'long term' is a mere 3 years and initial study a mere 90 days.

check out CR's records which go out to 10 years. toyotas (to say nothing of lexi) get to be 2x to 3x as old, before they have as many problems as ANY euro brand.

PlanB - 12/19/2007 4:41:47 PM

+1 Boost

This is a very funny story, too easy to be picked on.

EL34 - 12/19/2007 7:20:03 PM

-1 Boost

Come on down to Elderly Toyota where you can find plenty handicap parking spaces for those senior citizens.

enthusiastx11 - 12/20/2007 1:19:48 AM

0 Boost

there's the LS for the savvy senior citizen.