Toyota’s Concept-i, fueled by the maker’s “Yui” artificial intelligence system, marks the latest advance in making cars “warm and friendly third spaces”

by Evan Monroe

The first Consumer Electronics Show, an annual trade event organized by the Consumer Technology Association, was actually held right here in New York in 1967. Its 50 years have witnessed eyes agog over such things as the transition from tube to solid-state stereo amplifiers, the advent of the personal computer, and of course, since roughly the mid-’90s, Internet-based anything and everything. In the 12 years we’ve been covering the show—now held seemingly perpetually in Vegas—one of the most remarkable frenzies this staff has witnessed accompanied Toyota’s Concept-i, unveiled in early January. With an all-electric motor and a built-in artificial intelligence system nicknamed “Yui,” the new vehicle will not only be able to autonomously drive (though it offers a manual mode, too), but uses that navigation system’s light-, sound-, and touch-sensing capabilities to develop a customizable, “warm and friendly third space,” as Toyota puts it, with auto-adapted settings for music, atmosphere, business connectivity, and a variety of concierge services. That, and its sweeping lines and gull wing doors are a welcome antidote to the pod-like design so ubiquitous among auto driving concept vehicles.

A number of its features are expected to appear in Toyota models as early as next year.