Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan) - The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) and Stanford’s School of Engineering have reached a historic milestone in autonomous driving by executing the world’s first fully automated tandem drift. This innovative achievement stems from nearly seven years of collaboration between the institutions, aiming to enhance road safety through advanced artificial intelligence technologies.

An Advanced Maneuver for Safety

Drifting, a technique where the driver controls the vehicle after losing traction, is used to simulate conditions such as driving on snow or ice. By introducing two vehicles drifting in tandem, the research recreates more dynamic conditions, aiding in the development of systems that enable cars to react quickly to other vehicles and obstacles.

“Our goal is to make driving safer,” stated Avinash Balachandran of TRI. “Achieving autonomous tandem drifting demonstrates the potential for control in extreme conditions and the possibilities for advanced safety systems in the future.”

How the System Works

The tests, conducted at Thunderhill Raceway Park in California, involved two modified Toyota GR Supras. Equipped with AI algorithms and a Wi-Fi network for real-time communication, the vehicles plan and adjust their movements up to 50 times per second, avoiding collisions while maintaining control.

The cars use Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC), which adjusts steering, throttle, and braking based on specific objectives, such as sustaining a drift in the lead car and following without collision in the chase car.

Impact on Road Safety

With over 1.35 million annual road fatalities worldwide, loss of control is a leading cause of accidents. This technology has the potential to intervene automatically in critical situations, helping to prevent collisions.

“What we’ve learned here is applicable to real-world driving scenarios on slippery surfaces,” said Chris Gerdes from Stanford.

This milestone not only showcases the potential of autonomous vehicles but also brings the automotive industry closer to a safer and more innovative future.