Technical Development
Electronics Parts
|
Year
|
Month
|
Technology developed and applied
|
Applicable Vehicle
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
1955
|
|
Vacuum tube radio adopted
|
Crown
|
|
|
Motorized clock adopted
|
Crown
|
|
|
1957
|
|
Cooler equipped
|
Crown
|
|
1959
|
|
Fully transistorized radio adopted
|
Crown
|
|
1962
|
September
|
Alternator adopted
|
Crown
|
|
1964
|
April
|
Power windows, doors with magnetic keyed lock, and automatic headlights become standard
|
Crown Eight
|
|
April
|
Electric cruise control offered as an option adopted
|
Crown Eight
|
|
|
1965
|
|
Air conditioner equipped
|
Crown
|
|
1966
|
|
Rear defogger adopted
|
|
|
1967
|
|
Retractable headlights adopted
|
2000GT
|
|
|
Transistor-controlled fuel pump adopted
|
Century
|
|
|
1971
|
|
Automatic air conditioner equipped
|
Century
|
|
1973
|
August
|
'OK monitor' becomes standard
|
Corona
|
|
1974
|
October
|
Concealed wipers adopted
|
Crown
|
|
1977
|
August
|
Intermittent wipers adopted
|
Carina
|
|
1979
|
September
|
Radio with electronic tuner adopted
|
Crown
|
|
September
|
New cruise computer installed
|
Crown
|
|
|
1980
|
October
|
World's first voice warning system developed and offered as standard
|
MarkII
|
|
|
Electro Auto Compass with new mechanism and microcontroller-controlled automatic air conditioner developed
|
Crown
|
|
|
|
Electronic compass developed
|
|
|
|
1981
|
February
|
Electronic instrument cluster with new mechanism developed
|
Soarer
|
|
July
|
World's first navigation computer developed
|
Celica XX
|
|
|
August
|
Eco Run System developed
|
Starlet
|
|
|
1982
|
January
|
World's first factory-installed rear sonar system adopted
|
Corona
|
|
August
|
World's first automatic anti-glare rearview mirror developed
|
MarkII
|
|
|
October
|
Fiber-optic multiplex communications system adopted
|
Century
|
|
|
November
|
World's first hot/cold box with icemaker adopted
|
Townace, Master Ace Surf
|
|
|
1983
|
August
|
New microcontroller-controlled automatic air conditioner developed using the world's first 10-cylinder variable-capacity compressor
|
Crown
|
|
October
|
Digital color liquid crystal gauges adopted for the first time in Japan
|
Corona
|
|
|
|
Toyota's single-chip microcontroller (used in the Corolla) receives the Technological Development Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan
|
Corolla
|
|
|
1984
|
August
|
Smoke-detecting automatic air-purifier developed
|
MarkII
|
|
|
Quick hand warmer with ceramic heater developed
|
MarkII
|
|
|
|
Turbine fuel pump with built-in tank developed
|
MR2
|
|
|
1985
|
January
|
Electro Multi Vision developed
|
Soarer
|
|
April
|
Semiconductor business started as one of several new projects
|
|
|
|
|
Linear-motor-driven curtains developed
|
Hiace
|
|
|
|
Electro Multi Vision system developed and installed in the Soarer as the world's first vehicle information display system using a compact CRT
|
|
|
|
1986
|
January
|
Liquid crystal anti-glare rearview mirror developed
|
Soarer
|
|
January
|
Visual information cassettes newly added to the Toyota Electro Multi Vision System
|
Soarer
|
|
|
January
|
ME (Microelectronic) Preparation Dept. for the study of the in-house manufacturing of semiconductor established
|
|
|
|
October
|
Basic plan for the in-house manufacturing of semiconductor approved by Chairman and President
|
|
|
|
1987
|
March
|
Basic agreement (for technical licensing of semiconductor) concluded with Toshiba Corporation
|
|
|
September
|
World's first CD-ROM-based navigation system developed
|
Crown
|
|
|
|
Rearview-monitoring camera developed to help drivers check the rear view
|
|
|
|
1988
|
September
|
ME (Microelectronic) Preparation Development Div. established
|
|
|
September
|
Hirose Plant's Semiconductor Plant No. 1 completed
|
|
|
|
|
Clearance sonar using an ultrasonic sensor developed
|
|
|
|
1989
|
|
Piezo TEMS (Toyota Electric Modulated Suspension) developed
|
|
|
|
Self-illuminating analog instrument cluster (Optitron meter) developed
|
Celsior
|
|
|
|
Electronically controlled four-wheel steering system (4WS) developed
|
|
|
|
|
Electro-hydraulic power steering system (EHPS) developed
|
|
|
|
1990
|
February 15
|
Super Live Sound System developed (featuring world-first technologies)
|
Sera
|
|
June
|
Hirose Plant semiconductor line-off ceremony held
|
|
|
|
July
|
2-
|
|
|
|
July
|
Regular mass production of ICs for detecting lamp failures commenced (Hirose plant)
|
Corona Exiv
|
|
|
|
Toyota Direct Ignition (TDI) system (and igniter) developed
|
|
|
|
1991
|
May
|
IC production reaches cumulative total of 100,000 units since its start in 1990 (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
GPS car navigation system developed
|
Soarer, Crown
|
|
|
|
TFT liquid crystal display developed
|
|
|
|
|
Active Four-Wheel Steering System (4WS) developed as the first system of its kind in the world to use a yaw rate sensor
|
|
|
|
1992
|
|
World's first GPS voice navigation system developed
|
Celsior
|
|
|
Front-passenger seat airbag developed
|
Celsior
|
|
|
|
Mass production of 1-bit microcontroller for body control commenced (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
1994
|
December
|
G sensor production commenced (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
Audio Video Communication - Local Area Network (AVC-LAN) developed
|
|
|
|
1995
|
July
|
2-
|
|
|
|
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) developed
|
Crown Majesta
|
|
|
1996
|
January
|
Power MOS process initiated (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
July
|
1.2-
|
|
|
|
|
AI-SHIFT control system developed
|
|
|
|
|
S-TEMS developed
|
|
|
|
|
Navigation system compatible with Vehicle Information and Communication System (VICS) developed
|
|
|
|
|
Side airbag control system developed
|
|
|
|
|
Super ECT control system developed
|
|
|
|
|
Sports-Steer Shiftmatic control system developed
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-function wireless key system developed
|
|
|
|
|
IC shipments reach 10 million units (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
1997
|
May
|
Brake Assist developed
|
Raum
|
|
May
|
Fine bipolar process startup (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
August
|
Cruise control system using laser radar developed
|
Celsior
|
|
|
October
|
Electric Motor Power Steering (EMPS) developed
|
Prius
|
|
|
October
|
World's first insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module for hybrid vehicle motor control developed
|
Prius
|
|
|
October
|
Toyota Hybrid System (THS) for hybrid vehicle control developed
|
Prius
|
|
|
October
|
Mass production of planar IGBT for hybrid vehicles commenced (Hirose plant)
|
Prius
|
|
|
December
|
Regenerative braking system adopted
|
Prius
|
|
|
|
Active Rear Steer (ARS) control system developed
|
|
|
|
|
Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) developed
|
|
|
|
|
Body Electronics Area Network (BEAN) developed
|
|
|
|
|
Navigation system using Differential GPS developed as a factory-installed option
|
|
|
|
|
Built-in unit for MONET, Toyota's first telematics service, developed
|
|
|
|
|
Occupant-sensing airbag control system developed
|
|
|
|
1998
|
|
DVD-based navigation system developed
|
|
|
|
NAVI AI-SHIFT, featuring world-first technologies, developed
|
Progres
|
|
|
1999
|
January
|
Mass production of ICs for ABS commenced (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
March
|
Hirose Plant acquires ISO 14001 certification
|
|
|
|
June
|
Mass production of ICs for controlling airbags commenced (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
June
|
R/S-ISCV driver jointly developed with Aisan Industry Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
|
June
|
Compound semiconductor (GaAs) process startup (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
June
|
First-generation BiCDMOS process startup (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
|
32-bit powertrain control ECU developed
|
|
|
|
|
Real-time OS for controlling powertrains developed
|
|
|
|
|
Idling Stop System using a strengthened starter developed for Europe (Reinforced starter)
|
Yaris with European specifications
|
|
|
2000
|
February
|
Hirose Plant holds a ceremony to mark its 10th year of operation
|
|
|
March
|
0.8-
|
|
|
|
April
|
Mass production of Trench IGBT for hybrid vehicles commenced (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
April
|
Hirose Plant's Semiconductor Plant No. 2 completed
|
|
|
|
August
|
Laser-type radar cruise control system with brake control developed
|
Celsior
|
|
|
August
|
Emergency alert system (HELPNET in Japan and LEXUS LINK in the U.S.) developed
|
Celsior, Lexus LS
|
|
|
December 18
|
Hirose Plant's Semiconductor Plant No. 2 line-off ceremony held (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
|
Onboard ETC unit developed as a factory-installed option
|
|
|
|
|
Smart Key System developed
|
Celsior
|
|
|
|
Backup guide monitor system developed
|
Gaia
|
|
|
2001
|
January 1
|
Direct tire pressure warning system developed jointly with Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd. and Denso Corporation
|
Soarer, SC
|
|
June 18
|
Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, the first system of its kind in the world to be mass produced, adopted in the Estima Hybrid
|
|
|
|
|
Electronic 4WD control system 'E-Four' developed
|
Estima Hybrid
|
|
|
|
Second-generation hybrid system Toyota Hybrid System-CTV (THS-C) developed
|
Estima Hybrid
|
|
|
|
Mild hybrid system Toyota Hybrid System-Mild (THS-M) with 42-volt, belt-driven motor/generator developed
|
Crown Mild Hybrid
|
|
|
2002
|
July
|
Toyota participates in the HALCA next-generation semiconductor manufacturing system technology development project based on collaboration among industries, the government, and academic institutions
|
|
|
|
Built-in unit for a new telematics service 'G-BOOK' developed
|
WiLL Cypha
|
|
|
|
Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) control system developed
|
|
|
|
|
Night View system developed
|
Land Cruiser Cygnus
|
|
|
|
Rear seat entertainment system developed
|
Alphard
|
|
|
|
Lane Monitoring System developed
|
Alphard
|
|
|
|
Roll-over sensor and control logic developed
|
Land Cruiser 100
|
|
|
2003
|
February
|
Pre-Collision System, using millimeter wave radar for the first time in the world in such a system, developed
|
Harrier
|
|
March
|
Production of nine kinds of parts, such as the high pressure IGBT and ASIC for brake control for the 2nd Prius commenced (Hirose plant)
|
Prius
|
|
|
April
|
Second-generation BiCDMOS process started up (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
|
May 15
|
New, more advanced hard-drive-based navigation system and the industry's first DVD-based navigation system with a built-in ETC launched
|
|
|
|
August
|
Pre-Collision System with brake control developed
|
Celsior
|
|
|
October
|
Yaw rate sensor with an integrated G sensor developed internally and offered on the Crown
|
Crown
|
|
|
|
Bluetooth-compatible hands-free system developed
|
|
|
|
|
Intelligent Adaptive Front-Lighting System (I-AFS) developed
|
|
|
|
|
Toyota Intelligent Idling Stop (TIIS) system using two power supplies (lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries) developed
|
Vitz
|
|
|
|
Intelligent Parking Assist system, the first of its kind in the world, developed
|
Prius
|
|
|
|
Electro Shiftmatic, Toyota's first shift-by-wire system, developed
|
Prius
|
|
|
|
World's first front and side view monitoring system developed
|
Harrier
|
|
|
|
Cornering assist monitor with treat monitor developed
|
Estima
|
|
|
|
Push-button starter control system developed
|
Prius
|
|
|
|
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system using millimeter wave radar developed
|
Celsior
|
|
|
|
THS II new hybrid system developed
|
Prius
|
|
|
2004
|
July
|
Pre-Collision System that uses both millimeter wave radar and images from a CMOS camera developed
|
Crown Majesta
|
|
2004
|
|
Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system developed
|
Crown Majesta
|
|
|
World's first radar cruise control system with a low-speed tracking mode developed
|
Crown Majesta
|
|
|
|
Lane Keeping Assist control system developed
|
Crown Majesta
|
|
|
|
World's first steering-angle-response clearance sonar developed
|
Isis
|
|
|
2005
|
March
|
Ceremony held to commemorate cumulative shipment of 100 million units of ICs (Hirose plant)
|
|
|
August
|
Navigation system compatible with the Lexus G-Link telematics service developed
|
Lexus GS, SC, IS
|
|
|
|
Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) developed
|
Lexus GS 430
|
|
|
|
Navigation system compatible with G-BOOK ALPHA developed
|
Alphard
|
|
|
|
Hard-drive-based navigation system developed as a factory-installed option
|
Alphard
|
|
|
|
Active stabilizer control system developed
|
Lexus GS 430
|
|
|
|
Driver-assist Braking Control (DABC) developed
|
Lexus GS 430
|
|
|
|
New THS II, a high-power hybrid system, developed
|
Harrier Hybrid, Kluger Hybrid
|
|
|
2006
|
January
|
Panoramic Super-live Sound System developed
|
Estima
|
|
March
|
World's fist hybrid system exclusively for rear-wheel-drive passenger cars developed
|
Lexus GS 450h
|
|
|
March
|
Pre-Collision System with world's first driver-monitoring function developed
|
Lexus GS 450h
|
|
|
April
|
Pre-Collision System featuring the world's first use of both millimeter wave radar and stereo cameras developed
|
Lexus LS 460
|
|
|
April
|
Rear-end Pre-Collision System developed
|
Lexus LS 460
|
|
|
July
|
Remote immobilizer developed
|
Lexus LS 460
|
|
|
September
|
Intelligent Parking Assist with ultrasonic sensors developed
|
Lexus LS 460
|
|
|
September
|
Radar cruise control system with all-speed tracking function developed
|
Lexus LS 460
|
|
|
September
|
Electronic parking brake developed
|
Lexus LS 460
|
|
|
2007
|
February 8
|
Map on Demand, a technology for distributing map updates to car navigation systems, developed as the first of its kind in the world
|
|
|
April
|
Navigation system compatible with G-BOOK mX developed and installed first on the Premio and the Allion launched in June
|
Premio, Allion
|
|
|
September
|
Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) adopted in AVC-LAN
|
Mark X Zio
|
|
|
2008
|
January
|
Pre-Collision System, with the world's first driver-monitoring function for detecting whether the driver's eyes are properly open, developed
|
Crown
|
|
February
|
Navigation/Artificial Intelligence-Adaptive Variable Suspension System (NAVI/AI-AVS) developed
|
Crown
|
|
|
February
|
Active noise control system developed as a Toyota first
|
Crown Hybrid
|
|
|
February
|
Night View system with pedestrian detection function developed
|
Crown Hybrid
|
|
|
February
|
World's first navigation-linked brake assist function developed
|
Crown
|
|
|
February
|
Fine graphic meter developed
|
Crown Hybrid
|
|
|
2009
|
February
|
Production of flat trench IGBT, ASIC for IGBT driver, and the unifying ASIC for brake for the 3rd Prius commenced (Hirose plant)
|
Prius
|
|
March
|
Front-Side Pre-Collision System developed as the first of its kind in the world
|
Crown Majesta
|
|
|
June 10
|
Harmonious Driving Navigator system developed
|
Lexus HS 250
|
|
|
September
|
Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) unit developed
|
|
