Toyota’s latent patent shocks drivers, and for all the right reasons. While Toyota has always been famous for staying committed to the safety of all, as well as renowned for excellent engineering, the Japanese manufacturer is now showing commitment to drivers by offering to pay customers for a simple action. Toyota’s move is awakening an era of transparency for all.
Driving a Toyota could mean a payday every day
Toyota has offered to reward drivers for sharing the data that has been collected by their vehicle. For this, a driver only needs to drive as normal, and the vehicle collects data. The data recorded entails traffic patterns, road conditions, and other unusual occurrences on the road. This information makes its way to Toyota servers, which determine which information is valuable.
Once the data goes through validation checks, the driver receives payment. The company’s AI system is most important here. This is an attempt by Toyota to use information from cars on the roads to conduct research. However, for drivers to get paid, the data will have to pass the validation check. Certain information will be deemed more important and will earn a higher rate. Toyota is rewriting the script on how consumers and companies share data.
AI development is central to this initiative
While the collection of data is central to Toyota’s decision, the company is set on developing AI systems. By relying on AI, Toyota is securing reliable data that it would not be able to acquire in any other way. Since data transparency is the new norm, Toyota is driving forward this mission by making data on unexpected events readily available.
Market research concludes that automotive data may become one of the most emerging markets in the mobility realm. Automotive data could generate about $400 billion annually by the year 2030.
User consent is at the heart of this data agreement
While Toyota is pulling out all of the stops in terms of data generation, the automaker is also ensuring that consent is taken into consideration. The company’s patent highlights strict user content requirements. Drivers will have to share their consent to participate actively in the data generation process.
Permission can be revoked at any time, even during a particular journey in which data has already started to be generated. Drivers are still placed in the driver’s seat, having full rights to the information they wish to provide, and they stand a chance of earning from the information provided.
The partnership between Toyota and the driver can be said to be one that benefits both sides. For some reason, this automaker always gives everyone something to talk about. When Toyota released its hybrid car, everyone had the automaker’s name on their lips as well.
Will Toyota’s patent materialize and be taken to the roads?
The idea by the automaker is surely a great one; however, it remains to be seen if the automaker transforms this progressive idea into a patent that is widely practiced. This car manufacturer is set on changing the way in which we view data and privacy, while adding value to the information received by cars on the roads. This manufacturer is surely thinking of rewarding its customers financially if they are willing to reduce the gap between trust and progress.
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