The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) has announced the launch of a new corporate venture capital subsidiary, Toyota AI Ventures.
The $100 million dollar project is designed to provide early-stage financing to start-up technology companies.
TRI will look to continue investment in AI-focused start-ups while also offering them mentorship and support on-site at TRI's Silicon Valley headquarters.
Investment will focus in the areas of:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Robotics
- Autonomous Mobility
- Data and Cloud Technology
Two of the key start-ups already part of the intiative include:
- Nauto - a company that provides a technology system, designed for professional drivers and fleet managers, that monitors drivers and the road environment to prevent collisions.
- SLAMcore - which develops advanced algorithms designed to help technology platforms like autonomous cars to simultaneously build a map of their surroundings and position themselves within it.