University of Michigan

Toyota Research Institute (TRI) recently partnered with the University of Michigan, investing $22 million toward the university’s research focused on autonomous driving, robotics and artificial intelligence.

TRI will provide an initial $22 million over four years for research collaborations with the university’s faculty in these areas, according to a news release.

The two offices of the Toyota Technical Center have worked with the university on connected vehicles and safety research, and Toyota is a founding partner of the university’s Mobility Transformation Center (MTC). The MTC operates Mcity, a 32-acre mini-city that allows researchers to test autonomous vehicle technologies in a safe, controlled environment.

“Toyota has long enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the University of Michigan, and we are excited to expand our collective efforts to address complex mobility challenges through artificial intelligence,” TRI CEO Gill Pratt said, according to the release. “We look forward to collaborating with U-M’s research faculty and students to develop new intelligent technologies that will help drivers travel more safely, securely and efficiently. We will also focus on expanding the benefit of mobility technology to in-home support of older persons and those with special needs.”