In response to a request for the approval of this technology by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the USA, all indications suggest that, with the aim of facilitating progress on unpaved terrain and in unknown territories, Toyota is developing an unprecedented small drone system to be installed in its models intended for off-road use. This would significantly enhance usability in off-road conditions, especially when it is not possible to exit the vehicle or when the driving conditions are unknown, due to a superior capability of the driver.
In this way, the task of these drones is to serve as the “eyes” of the driver outside, by providing an aerial view of the area around the vehicle, in order to expose potentially hidden dangers along the routes being traveled, and to prevent situations such as the vehicle getting stuck in sand or mud. According to information released by Toyota itself, most flights will take place in the vicinity of the vehicle, but users can also make the drones fly above the tree line, in order to capture images (photographs and videos) of the surrounding terrain.
This tool, according to the world’s largest manufacturer, will be quite useful, especially for the more adventurous, for explorers, and for professionals working in remote or rural areas. But the brand is not alone in the race: Polestar (with the O2), and Renault (with Vision 4Rescue), have also included it in prototypes aimed at anticipating modes of mass production.
