Drifting takes years of practice to master, but what if it can be done by a computer?
Well, Toyota has a vision to prove otherwise.
Toyota’s research and development wing, the Toyota Research Institute, has teamed up with Stanford University to outfit a pair of GR Supras with all the tech needed to not just drive, but drift autonomously.
Yes, you read that right.
These Supras aren’t your run-of-the-mill models. Upgraded to Formula Drift specs by Toyota Racing Development and tuning company GReddy, they feature beefed-up powertrains, suspension, and safety gear. Instead of flesh and bones, a plethora of computers and sensors are used to control the throttle, brakes, and steering.
The magic behind the tandem drift lies in the cars’ ability to communicate with each other via a dedicated WiFi network.
This isn’t your average home WiFi, but rather a sophisticated setup that uses a technique called ‘Nonlinear Model Predictive Control.’ Essentially, each car constantly calculates the best steering, throttle, and brake commands up to 50 times per second to stay in sync with the other.
If you’ve drifted off into tech jargon overload, fret not. The end result is simple: two cars performing big, smoky skids in perfect harmony, all without human input.
While the idea of driverless drifting might not seem as thrilling as watching a human battle the laws of physics, there’s a method to this high-tech madness.
Toyota and Stanford argue that teaching autonomous cars to drift can improve how they handle icy or snowy conditions. Doing it in tandem helps refine safety systems to better respond to other vehicles and pedestrians.
So, the next time someone tells you drifting is a pointless motorsport, you can tell them about Toyota’s audacious project. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll see a driverless drift competition that’s every bit as thrilling as the real thing, dominated by Keiichi_Tsuchiya_Drift.html.
Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!
