Developed in collaboration with Sony Corporation, the pod is an IT-centered vehicle that proposes new relationships between cars and their drivers. The POD (the name of which is based on the concept of gently enveloping and protecting the car's occupants) is personified to help it detect the feelings of the driver and to express itself. Using various sensors that detect and store information on the drivers' preferences at home and at work, driving conditions the car can gauge the driver's level of skill & hurriedness. The sensors offer information on the smoothness of steering wheel, accelerator, brake operation, difference with regular driving conditions, as well as the driver's pulse and degree of perspiration. The car acts upon this information and offers feedback, thereby contributing to driver growth.

The most profound feedback the car has is an array of lights that change color according to the emotion of the driver and car itself. These lights change to one of four colors which reflect the mood of the car both inside, to the driver and passenger, and outside, to fellow motorists. During regular operation, the car turns orange to reflect that is happy to both be with the driver and running with no anomalies. In the event that gas runs out, or the driver leaves the car alone for a long time, the POD turns blue to represent sadness. Under aggressive driving the POD turns bright red.

The POD also proposes a new driving operation method, by packaging the steering, accelerating and braking controls on a single drive controller for easy hands-only drive-by-wire operation.

by Toyota

by Toyota