Toyota Safety Sense was developed because Toyota has prioritized safety from the very beginning, even before introducing one of the world’s most acclaimed driver-assist systems. The company has a specialized division devoted to advancing safety technology. In 2011, Toyota established the Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC), focusing strongly on mobility safety. Since then, the CSRC has collaborated with universities, hospitals, and industry experts to find ways to reduce crash injuries, understand driver behavior better, and prevent accidents. The results have been significant.
Toyota Safety Research Center Completes 100th Project
Toyota’s CSRC is deeply committed to research aimed at minimizing collisions. Because crashes can have serious consequences, every step toward improving occupant safety represents an important advance. On June 3, 2025, Toyota announced that its joint work with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) AgeLab marked the CSRC’s 100th completed research project.
Reflecting on this accomplishment, CSRC Director Danil Prokhorov stated, “This is a significant milestone for CSRC and demonstrates our commitment to Toyota’s vision of a future safe mobility society for all, with the ultimate goal of zero traffic fatalities.” The research project with MIT focused on how drivers and pedestrians interact with technology such as mobile devices and in-car touchscreens.
Supported by MIT AgeLab scientist Dr. Bryan Reimer, this 100th project showcased the extensive collaboration between Toyota and MIT. The research yielded important insights, including a dataset on voice-based human-machine interaction and patterns of driver-pedestrian behavior. The team also analyzed how driver-assist features affect driver behavior and how drivers handle non-driving-related tasks.
Looking ahead, Toyota’s research center has already planned its next 10 projects. These upcoming efforts will involve partnerships with the University of Waterloo, Oregon State University, Ohio State University Injury Biomechanics Research Center, and Auburn University. For now, Toyota is celebrating this key achievement while focusing on applying these findings to improve safety for all drivers.
Stay connected with us to follow Toyota’s latest innovations and learn more about the value of its ongoing collaboration with MIT.
Learn More About Toyota's Safety Milestone
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