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Toyota Focuses On Developing Cars For The Elderly

Agent009 submitted on 12/19/2007 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:26:40 AM

44 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.iht.com

Feeling nervous behind the wheel as old age kicks in?

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.



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Toyota Focuses On Developing Cars For The Elderly

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Agent009

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."

— Agent009 (View Profile)


User Comments

Rupert

I thought they already did?


Oooo I'm so quick and witty.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 10:35:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

jimmyjump

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.

— jimmyjump (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 10:44:36 AM | | Votes: -3   

Agent009

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?

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 10:47:18 AM | | Votes: 0   

answer

Bond's Aston had a defibrillator in Casino Royale.

That thing comes in handy!

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 1:34:15 PM | | Votes: 5   

1995e34

that was his only gadget. i was very disappointed.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 3:09:40 PM | | Votes: 1   

M53R

LMAO!

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 12:35:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11   

Agent009

Kinda cute isn't she!

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 10:37:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

carguy68

your quick Rupert ha ha

— carguy68 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 11:50:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

enthusiastx11

too funny. is there a new lexus coming out?

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 11:53:20 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

EL34

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

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

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 12:28:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

ErichHartmann

I thought older and loyal Toyota buyers go to Lexus because at this stage in their life they certainly have the financial means for one?

— ErichHartmann (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 12:31:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

DaHarder

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

Good Demographic To Target.

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 12:53:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

w209w114

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.

— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 12:58:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

theoptimisticpessimist

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

— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 1:35:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

enthusiastx11

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

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 6:29:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

enthusiastx11

GS:

try pulling from a RELIABLE source.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2007 1:19:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

EL34

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

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

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 1:46:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

RealitySmack

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

— RealitySmack (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 4:43:12 PM | | Votes: 3   

KillBot

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!!!

— KillBot (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 1:47:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

XYZZ


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.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2007 4:39:52 AM | | Votes: 2   

EL34

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

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 2:54:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

1995e34

i hear the new landcruiser has an adult diaper changing station in the rear.

i'm going to hell.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 3:12:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

enthusiastx11

GS:

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

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2007 1:20:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

XYZZ

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.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2007 4:49:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

PlanB

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

— PlanB (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 4:41:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

EL34

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

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 7:20:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

huu76

As opposed to letting a senior drive around in a 400+hp 7 series or S550?

Maybe haters like being hit by cars. but anyway, Nothing to be ashamed about, it'll just show that Toyota can do it while everyone else just grinds their teeth with envy.

This system would be great for teenagers and BMW drivers since neither can do it.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2007 8:07:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

enthusiastx11

there's the LS for the savvy senior citizen.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2007 1:19:48 AM | | Votes: 0   

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