Toyota Arene OS launched in 2025 – a software platform that can change the driving feeling, simulate a manual transmission on electric vehicles

Besides discussing battery electric vehicle (BEV) hardware currently in development, the recently held Toyota Technical Workshop in Japan also covered the software side of things. According to the automaker, the evolution of the vehicle’s operating system (OS) will allow its next-generation BEVs to offer the ability to customize the “driver feel”.

The first piece of technology mentioned is Arene OS, a software platform that the company says will accelerate automotive intelligence and deliver new value to customers. The operating system was announced last year and is targeted for rollout in vehicles starting in 2025. During Toyota’s recent event, Arene OS was revealed to be being developed under three pillars, Start with Tools, to drive the development or performance evaluation of automotive software.

Next is the SDK (software development kit) for developers to easily integrate software into the vehicle, while the UI (user interface) lays out the mechanisms for how people interact with the vehicle. auto and society.

Toyota says Arene OS will operate more than 200 vehicle functions, but it’s unclear when it will launch, saying it’s “planned for installation in the next mass production model globally. ” One of the features introduced is enhanced speech recognition that leverages AI (artificial intelligence) to provide customers with fast response times and tailored recommendations and options. On the Toyota side, AI will also be used to help designers speed up product development.

What’s more concerning is how the software can affect the “driver feel” that the automaker refers to. Toyota claims that the BEV hardware and software can be updated in such a way that the transmission and clutch control functions are implemented to make driving a manual transmission car more enjoyable, even with a BEV. !

If you remember, Lexus displayed a research prototype based on All-electric UX 300e with “manual transmission” last year. Another vehicle that demonstrates the potential of this technology is AE86 EV introduced at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, has a manual and clutch transmission, but with an electric powertrain.

Other things software modifications can do include modifying the simulated engine sound or the response of the electric powertrain. The Lexus RZ is a representative of the latter, with steering wheel technology that allows the steering wheel to be practically used. Toyota says the possibilities are limitless if you’re nostalgic for something you’ve driven or cars you’d like to drive in the future.

It’s not just how you interact with that software role. Toyota says cars will be connected to infrastructure and towns to provide new services such as more accurate real-time traffic information. The developed software can also be used for Efficient Transport Operations Support Systems (E-TOSS), which is useful for logistics companies to efficiently plan and track deliveries. .

Vehicles on the road can also automatically generate map data, which can be used to increase the frequency of 3D map updates from six months to the same day. This can allow cars to better plan routes that are more comfortable, safer, and more fuel/electrical. In addition, geolocation could make “smart parking” even better and allow manned or unmanned vehicles to operate more safely.