Toyota made global headlines with the reveal of the all-new, sixth-generation RAV4. Although the focus is mostly on its design, standard (and more powerful) hybrid powertrains, and improved safety, it will also be the first vehicle to use Toyota’s new Arene in-car software.
In a bid to close the technological divide between themselves and new entrants such as those from China, Arene is a new software development platform which basically runs the entire vehicle. For now, it’s responsible for running the ADAS (Toyota Safety Sense 4.0) and the digital cockpit, including the infotainment in the RAV4, but eventually, its scope will include powertrain and body control.
Arene basically separates software and hardware, like a laptop or smartphone. This allows the vehicle to gain new or improved functionalities over time. This is done via software updates, which the system can do remotely.
More importantly, it also powers new data collection and management technology. Arene will be able to gather driver information from around the world, process it with artificial intelligence, and suggest ideas and tweaks that can improve the vehicle’s software.
For example, in the case of Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, Toyota will use Arene to aggregate updated global data sets every two weeks from the RAV4’s running in the real world. This will allow Toyota to roll out updates tailored to different regions and driving needs, possibly monthly. The entire Toyota Safety Sense system, meanwhile, might receive a global renewal every year.
Overall, Arene is expected not just to improve customer experience and speed the time to market for new models and updates, but it will also help Toyota reduce costs by enabling unified design, coding, testing and development of the software.
Toyota will also roll out Arene software development kits which developers can use to build applications on top of the system and reuse them across multiple vehicles. This opens the possibility of Toyota sharing it with brands such as Lexus, Subaru, Suzuki, Isuzu, and Mazda—carmakers which Toyota either owns or has stakes in.
Apart from the RAV4, Toyota says it will deploy Arene in its large volume nameplates first to “get the biggest impact” from its introduction and help spread out the development costs. Already confirmed to receive it are Toyota’s next-generation BEVs by 2026.
They could have retain the physical knobs and buttons instead of fully copying the chinese.
ReplyDeleteits not the chinese, its tesla who started it all.
DeleteIt is not the Chinese. It is the media always measuring screen size the bigger always gets the hype
ReplyDeleteArene. Simply put- its toyotas new hi tec means to get more money from their customers. Its like BMWs subscription system..
ReplyDeleteAny service mechanic working on the car will need to be a computer expert. Soon local mechanics will be out of business.
ReplyDeleteAnd special sets of tools will be required too
DeleteSoftware defined vehicles
ReplyDeleteJapanese are only good in making Gaming Software, everything else like Xperia OS,Website design,mobile applications they're so far behind.
ReplyDeleteLet's give Toyota a chance. Toyota maybe late to the software game buy usually they know what they're doing.
DeleteYeah, slow but sure. Haste makes waste.
DeleteI hope the aircon controls will be physical knobs, dials, switches, and not associated with the Arene software.
ReplyDeleteThough I believe the aircon can be controlled by Arene that’s why they integrated the aircon controls into the touchscreen instead of having physical knobs, dials, buttons.
DeleteToo late, HVAC is all in the screen now. Current rav4 owners in NA are pissed about it. This will still sell a lot but bulk of the sales will probably come from first time rav4 owners.
DeleteIts always displayed in the lower part of the screen, no need to dig in into the screen to adjust AC.
DeleteWill the new Arene software support Apple's latest CarPlay Ultra?
ReplyDelete