Toyota has unveiled its ‘LQ’ concept featuring AI that builds a bond with the driver and an air-purifying coating that fights emissions. Debuting at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, the Toyota LQ concept is a self-driving electric car and an updated version of the Toyota concept-i, which first appeared at CES 2017.

The Toyota LQ concept has been revealed ahead of its in-the-flesh debut at the 2019 Tokyo motor show later this month. The LQ is a development of the Concept-i, which was unveiled at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. While both cars share the same design theme and silhouette, the LQ seems to be closer production reality as it has functioning door handles and wing mirrors.
It also has a driver’s seat that detects when the occupant is drowsy, and attempts to keep them alert by turning the in-seat ventilation to cool and inflating an air bladder in the seat back to make them sit more upright. Tying it all together is an AI agent named Yui, which can not only help the driver control the car’s various settings, but also play music based on the current driving environment or provide real-time information on topics of interest.

Measuring 4530mm long, 1840mm wide, 1480mm tall, and riding on a 2700mm wheelbase, the LQ is around the same size as the Prius hybrid. The LQ has an electric drivetrain with a driving range of around 300 kilometres, although we don’t know how m...