Toronto, Ontario — The emerging industry for generative AI software is making its way into OEM vehicle design, as Toyota unveiled Tuesday a new AI-powered process that allows its designers to create multiple versions of a vehicle prototype within minutes.
Toyota engineers and designers are now able to simply draw the desired body lines of a vehicle, input parameters to account for factors like drag or ergonomics, and end up with several unique body designs in return.
The designer can even specify certain aesthetic parameters that the AI will accommodate, such as prompts for “sleek”, “SUV-like” or “modern” designs, according to Toyota’s press release.
“Generative AI tools are often used as inspiration for designers, but cannot handle the complex engineering and safety considerations that go into actual car design,” said Toyota’s director of Human Interactive Driving, Avinash Balachandran.
“This technique combines Toyota’s traditional engineering strengths with the state-of-the-art capabilities of modern generative AI.”
The automaker says this new process of designing vehicles will not just improve efficiency in early-stage vehicle design, but will see Toyota EV designs improve over the years as well.
“Reducing drag is critical for improving the aerodynamics of BEVs to maximize their range,” said Takero Kato, president of Toyota’s Japan-based BEV Factory.
Check out a video of the technology in action down below.
