Japan Display to Supply Apple With ‘Full Active’ LCD Panels for Some 2018 iPhones

Apple has expressed interest in buying advanced liquid crystal display (LCD) panels from Japan Display for use in some of its iPhones next year, according to a new report today from The Wall Street Journal.

Earlier this month, Apple announced the iPhone X, its first smartphone to adopt OLED screen technology. OLED displays offer sharper contrast and brighter colors than traditional LCD panels, but cost and supply issues are an ongoing concern for Apple, and are likely to slow down any full transition to the technology.

However, Japan Display’s advanced LCD panels, which it calls Full Active LCDs, are said to match or exceed some of OLED’s advantages at a lower cost, and Apple is interested in procuring them for use in at least some iPhones set to debut in its 2018 smartphone line-up, according to people familiar with the matter.

In Full Active panels, the bezel or border space around each edge of the screen has been trimmed to 0.5 millimeters, the Japanese maker says, compared with as much as several millimeters on older LCDs. Current OLED smartphone panels have a bezel of about one millimeter, which makes them easier to be curved or angled. The Full Active panel has already been used by several Chinese mobile makers, including Xiaomi for its Mi Mix 2 phone, according to Kazutaka Nagaoka, chief of Japan Display’s mobile unit. 

News about Japanese Display’s advanced LCD panels first emerged in January of this year, when they were referred to simply as “flexible LCDs”. The panels were said to be bendable enough to manufacture smartphones with the same screen design as Samsung’s Galaxy Edge series, thanks to a layer of plastic inside the glass. At the time, the company claimed mass production would begin from 2018.

Last month, Japan Display said that its Full Active displays would account for more than 70 percent of its business in panels for smartphones and other smart devices in the year ending March 2019. People at companies that work with Japan Display said interest about Full Active LCDs came directly from Apple, which is why the display maker is predicting rapid uptake for Full Active. Apple declined to comment on the report.

Apple’s line-up of iPhones next year will introduce a larger-screened LCD model, measuring more than 6 inches, according to a rumor earlier this week. Based on the same part maker sources, Apple’s supply of LCD screen from Japan Display already includes panel orders for the new larger screen size. Meanwhile, a switch to OLED-only iPhones is not expected until 2019.

Tags: Japan Display, Full Active LCD panels
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Tenikle is a super-versatile flexible tripod that sucks (in a good way)

Why it matters to you

If you’re looking for a multi-functional tripod for your smartphone, GoPro, or other device, the Tenikle could be it.

The Tenikle is a small tripod with flexible arms that let you wrap it around an object when you go to take a photo so you can get everyone (yes, that means you, too) in the shot.

If that sounds a lot like the popular Joby GorillaPod, you’d be right. But the Tenikle also features multiple suckers that provide extra security and stability, and can hold your smartphone in place, too, when you go to take a photo.

The Tenikle is impressive for both its versatility and speedy set-up process. Besides acting as a regular tripod for taking snaps, you can also use it as a GoPro mount, selfie stick, car mount, and guitar stand. It also works as a stand for your smartphone if you’re watching videos or simply want to prop it up.

The all-important suction cups “stick strong, easily, and for long periods of time,” so your pricey smartphone should be just fine when you attach it to a Tenikle wrapped around a bar or post some way off the ground. Greater peace of mind can be had with the solid phone mount (also useful if your phone case doesn’t like the suckers) that comes with the optional Shutterbug Kit. The kit also offers a GoPro adapter, Bluetooth selfie clicker, and a screw adapter to help you attach even more devices.

Another great feature is its portability — the Tenikle rolls up into a little ball so you can pop it in your pocket or bag till you need it.

Described by its creator, Hans Dose, as “a 3-legged accessory that looks like a starfish and an octopus had a one night stand,” the Kickstarter project has blasted through its $15,000 funding target and is getting close to raising $100,000 for an imminent October launch.

The Tenikle has just a couple of days left to run on Kickstarter, though there are still some early-bird deals left if you’re real quick. If you have to wait for its general release, you’ll find it with a $25 price tag.

With a career in graphic design and being “a lover of all things creative,” Dose says on his Kickstarter page that he was keen to design the Tenikle all by himself, throwing his heart and soul into the project.

“I learned 3D CAD software, designed the product, wrote a patent, 3D printed molds, tested different materials, learned mold-making, created almost 100 different prototypes in my tiny garage, built a website, found a U.S. manufacturer, got a business loan to purchase the molds, and filmed/edited the videos with my best friend from high school,” the inventor said.

RHA’s new budget-friendly Universal earphones offer complete control

Why it matters to you

RHA is known for building solid earphones at reasonable prices. Its newest offerings even have universal inline remotes.

Inline remotes have long been an integral feature for earphones and headphones, allowing the user to control music playback or manage phone calls with a few quick button presses. It can be rather frustrating, though, if your device won’t work with the remote, rendering it a useless plastic decoration on your cable.

English audio manufacturer RHA recognizes this and decided to do something about it. The new RHA MA390 Universal and S500 Universal earphones are — as the name suggests — uniformly compatible with mobile devices, so you can complete control no matter what kind of phone you’re using.

Based out of Glasgow, Scotland, RHA has cultivated a reputation for crafting quality earbuds with a subtle, understated aesthetic, and the newest additions to its collection are no different. Both the MA390 and the S500 are primarily black, featuring gold-plated connections and aluminum housings with clear silicone ear tips.

The MA390, outfitted with dynamic model 130.8 drivers tucked within Aerophonic rounded silver housings, will most likely replace RHA’s currently available MA350 earphones at the $30 level (the company’s cheapest price point).

Meanwhile, the S500 — built with micro dynamic model 140.1 drivers and compact, ergonomic housings in space gray — will take the place of the S500i (which are identical, but whose remote only works with Apple devices). The S500 are designed to fit comfortably in any ear canal.

Both pairs of earphones come with seven sets of replacement tips in differing sizes and styles; while this is fairly standard for earbud purchases today, it’s nice to see, given the modest price point of the Universal series. The name “Universal” is derived from the inline remote you find on both the MA390 and the S500.

The past couple of years have been quite productive for RHA. In August 2016, it announced its high-end CL earphone series (alongside its first headphone amp/DAC, the Dacamp L1), and its flagship CL1 Ceramic was named a CES Best of Innovation Honoree this January.

RHA currently only offers in-ear headphones, along with a number of different accessory options. If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds, try perusing our top picks.

ESPN’s app streams its studio shows on-demand

ESPN has been adding more features to its mobile app, like personalizing user live video streams. Starting today, fans can stream select shows on the app, including College GameDay, Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn — and they can watch them whenever they want. No more missing an episode because you couldn’t make the livestream.

“Our mission at ESPN is to serve sports fans, and now more than ever, they expect to stream their favorite shows on the device and time of day they prefer,” ESPN vice president of digital media programming John Lasker said in a press release. “With today’s launch, fans can now access an array of ESPN’s most popular, award-winning shows – with more to come in the near future – anytime, anywhere.”

The latest episodes will appear on the app shortly after they’ve finished airing. The full list of shows (and their scheduled time) are below:

• Around the Horn (weekdays at 5 p.m. ET)
• College GameDay Built by the Home Depot (Saturdays at 9 a.m. ET)
• College Football Countdown (most Thursdays at 7 p.m. ET)
• College Football Live (weekdays at 5:30 p.m. ET)
• College Football Final (at the conclusion of the Saturday games/post-game show on ESPN2 during the season)
• The Fantasy Show with Matthew Berry (weekdays at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2)
• The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (weekdays at 10 a.m. ET on ESPNU)
• Jalen & Jacoby (weeknights at 1 a.m. ET on ESPN2)
• The Jump (weekdays at 3 p.m. ET)
• Pardon the Interruption (weekdays at 5:30 p.m. ET)
• The Paul Finebaum Show (weekdays at 3 p.m. ET on SEC Network)
• SEC Nation (Saturdays at 10 a.m. ET)
• SEC Now (nightly on SEC Network)
• Thinking Out Loud (Mondays at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network)

HSBC app will let you manage accounts from multiple banks

HSBC is readying a mobile app that will allow customers to manage multiple accounts from different banks. “HSBC Beta” will support 21 money-keepers at launch, including Santander, Lloyds and Barclays, so users can review their current account, loans, mortgages and savings simultaneously. It’s the first time a major UK bank has offered such a service. In August 2016, the Competition and Markets Authority declared that all banks would need to adopt “Open Banking” by early 2018, allowing this sort of functionality. Clearly, it’s made a difference, though HSBC is keen to stress that it was working on the technology before the ruling.

Next month, HSBC Beta will be launched as an iOS app for roughly 10,000 customers. A general release, including an Android app, will follow in “early 2018.” HSBC is calling it a “test and learn” platform where it can quickly try and adapt new ideas based on customer feedback. Initially, HSBC Beta will be an optional, complimentary service to the company’s “core” banking app. But it could take on a larger role in the future. HSBC has additional features in the pipeline including Safe Balance, which shows how much disposable cash you have until payday, and Spend Analysis, which categorises purchases with helpful tags, notes and photos.

For HSBC, it’s a chance to differentiate from its high-street bank competition. It’s also a reaction to startups such as Atom, which are tempting customers with superior mobile apps and clear, actionable analytics. For now, these companies are a small threat, but if HSBC neglects its software they could quickly gain ground. Multiple account access will be a huge draw for people who regularly switch banks to take advantage of new deals. If HSBC can push that feature, while matching the functionality of apps like Monzo and Plum, it’ll keep them at bay for years to come.

Amazon’s Echo Show is now available to pre-order in the UK

Thanks to a surprise event at Amazon’s Seattle HQ yesterday, we got to see a whole host of new Alexa-powered devices. We played with the redesigned Echo, the all-new Echo Plus with smart hub, the cute Echo Spot and an overhauled Fire TV, giving consumers even more reason to buy into Amazon’s ecosystem.

While most of the event was dedicated to brand new Echos, the company also found time to update customers outside of the US on the status of the Echo Show. The good news is that the video-capable device is now available to pre-order in the UK and Germany for £199.99 and €219.99 respectively.

The Echo Show is the first Echo with a touchscreen, and will deliver rotating views of your calendar appointments, to-do items, weather and a bunch of trending news stories. It plays back video, although YouTube has now been blocked, and allows you to hold video calls with friends and family who also happen to own one.

To coincide with the launch, partners such as Just Eat, National Rail, BBC News, MTV, 7Digital, Sky Sports Super 6 and Liverpool FC have created Alexa Skills specifically for the Echo Show, allowing you to enjoy localised content when it begins shipping on November 16th.

Source: Amazon Echo Show

Gene editing could make wheat safe for celiac sufferers

Celiac disease is thought to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. Although doctors are still grappling with the causes of the autoimmune disorder, one thing is for sure: If you’re diagnosed it with it, you should avoid gluten. But maintaining long-lasting dietary changes isn’t easy — especially when you have to discard some of the most common food items, like bread. Fortunately, hope may be at hand, thanks to good old science. Using gene-editing, researchers from Spain’s Institute for Sustainable Agriculture are creating new types of wheat that reduce immune reactions in celiac disease sufferers.

As the team note in their study, the problem lies with a protein component in gluten known as gliadins. Armed with CRISPR tech, they decided to go after the gliadins found in wheat. And, thus far they’ve managed to successfully snip out 35 of the 45 genes contained in the component. But, there’s still a ways to go before their genetically modified wheat is ready to be sampled. Nonetheless, the initial results (which apparently included a serviceable loaf of bread) are promising. And, the scientists hope it will one day be used to produce other types of low-gluten foods.

CRISPR tech has been hailed as a tool that could bring about the next agricultural revolution. With its help, scientists aim to create tougher crops with higher resilience to drought, pests, and blight. Before then, it may also get rid of the irritating gluten-free fad.

Source: Plant Biotechnology

Toshiba Signs $17.7 Billion Deal to Sell Memory Chip Unit to Bain-Apple Group

After lengthy negotiations, Toshiba this morning officially agreed to sell its lucrative memory chip unit to a global consortium that includes Apple, in a deal reportedly worth $17.7 billion (via The Wall Street Journal).

Toshiba said the legally binding agreement ensures the chip unit will remain a Toshiba affiliate even after it has become the property of the Bain Capital-led group, which includes Apple, Dell, Seagate, Hoya, and SK Hynix.

Toshiba and Bain want to get the deal done by the end of March, despite ongoing litigation with Western Digital, which jointly operates the memory business with Toshiba. Western Digital claims it has the right to vote on the sale. Another hurdle is receiving antitrust clearance, which could take six months or longer, according to WSJ.

Toshiba originally announced it would sell its NAND flash memory unit in January 2017 to raise funds to cover huge losses associated with its U.S. nuclear subsidiary, Westinghouse. Toshiba wants to close the deal to raise the cash by March so it can remain listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Several companies, including TSMC, Foxconn, Amazon, Google, Broadcom, and a range of private equity firms entered bids this year in an effort to get a piece of the memory chip unit.

In a statement given to Reuters on Thursday, SK Hynix said the Bain-led group will hold 49.9 percent of the voting rights in the chip unit, while Toshiba will hold 40.2 percent and Japan’s Hoya Corp will own 9.9 percent. Apple, Dell, Seagate, and Kingston Technology will invest in the form of non-convertible preferred shares, it said.

SK Hynix also revealed it will invest 395 billion yen ($3.5 billion) in the unit. Other companies declined to comment, but individual investments are believed to be 350.5 billion yen ($3.11 billion) from Toshiba, 212 billion yen ($1.88 billion) from Bain, and a combined 415.5 billion yen ($3.68 billion) from Apple, Dell, Kingston, and Seagate.

Apple has been interested in the memory chip unit because NAND flash is an essential component of its iPhones and iPads. Only a handful of companies make the chips and the dominant player is Samsung, Apple’s biggest rival in the smartphone industry.

Tag: Toshiba
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Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 review: All grown up

The first-generation Mi Mix was awe-inspiring, and with its successor, Xiaomi is looking to retain that ‘wow’ factor while making the device accessible to a wider audience.

Xiaomi made the rest of the smartphone industry stand up and take notice with the Mi Mix. The phone’s all-screen front with a 91.3% screen-to-body ratio and ceramic construction made it stand out, but with Xiaomi opting to sell the device primarily in China, most consumers had to resort to third-party options to get their hands on the Mi Mix.

Thankfully, that’s changing with the Mi Mix 2. The phone will be making its way to over 30 markets where Xiaomi currently has a presence, and with 42 LTE bands onboard, you’ll be able to use it on most carriers around the world. Xiaomi also made a few design tweaks to make the phone more accessible, including trimming down the size of the screen, and switching back to an earpiece that actually works.

The price is what makes the Mi Mix 2 that much more enticing: the base variant with 6GB of RAM and 64GB storage retails for the equivalent of $500 in China, and Xiaomi will be looking to introduce it at around the same price in other regions. Let’s find out if the Mi Mix 2 is able to differentiate itself from the rest of the phones in this segment.

About this review

I (Harish Jonnalagadda) am writing this review after using the Mi Mix 2 for two weeks, with usage spread across Beijing and Hyderabad. I used the phone primarily on Airtel’s 4G network, and was on roaming with China Mobile. The device is running the first global beta ROM of MIUI ( build 7.8.24), and has picked up a single update with stability fixes, incrementing the build number to 7.9.21. The unit was provided to Android Central for review by Xiaomi.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 Specs

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 Hardware

The Mi Mix 2 looks a lot like its predecessor, and that’s a good thing. The first-generation Mi Mix was stunning to behold thanks to its all-screen display, and we’re treated to a similar design this time around. The Mix 2 has razor-thin bezels on three sides, leading to an immersive display that’s ideal for multimedia consumption.

There’s a chin at the bottom that houses the 5MP front camera and the notification LED, with Xiaomi noting that the bottom bezel is now 12% thinner than that on the Mi Mix. Xiaomi used a piezoelectric acoustic driver last year, but switched to a standard earpiece that’s located just above the display this time around. The earpiece itself is decent enough, and you shouldn’t have any issues for voice calls.

The Mi Mix had a crazy 91.3% screen-to-body ratio, but the large 6.44-inch display made it difficult to use the phone one-handed. With the Mi Mix 2, Xiaomi decreased the screen size to a more manageable 5.99 inches, making the phone more conducive to one-handed usage. The fact that it is an 18:9 display means that the phone is quite tall, and you’re not going to be able to reach all corners of the display.

Whereas the Mi Mix was blocky at the back, its successor has smooth edges and rounded corners, resulting in a much better in-hand feel. The design at the back is relatively unchanged from the Mi Mix: there’s an 18-carat gold accent around the camera sensor, and the “Mix designed by Xiaomi” tagline is still laser-etched onto the back. Xiaomi is once again using a ceramic back, but the mid-frame is made out of aluminum. There’s a single speaker located at the bottom of the phone, and a USB-C charging port next to it. There’s no IR sensor on the phone, and you’re not going to find a 3.5mm jack either.

Bezel-less phones like the Essential Phone and the iPhone X have a notch or cutout at the top to accommodate the front camera module. Xiaomi, meanwhile, decided to move the camera to the bottom right corner of the phone, and in doing so the top of the Mi Mix 2 is seamless and not marred by any cutouts.

The first-generation Mi Mix also sported the front camera at the bottom of the screen, but this time around Xiaomi is using an even smaller imaging sensor, and the area around the lens is blacked out. That said, the same problems that plagued the first-generation Mi Mix are back with the Mi Mix 2: the position of the front camera makes it incredibly awkward to use, and more often than not, you’ll end up getting a weird chin-first angle when taking selfies. The camera app tells you to invert the phone to take selfies, which isn’t ideal. While it works for the default camera app, there’s no way to change orientation in apps like Duo.

The defining feature on the phone is the all-screen front, and while Xiaomi would have fared better with a QHD panel, the FHD+ display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080 is really good. It doesn’t get as saturated as the AMOLED panels on Samsung’s phones, but it is one of the best LCDs you’ll find in the market today.

Colors reproduction is accurate, and if you’re looking for punchier colors, there’s an option to adjust the color temperature in the settings. The phone gets sufficiently bright for outdoor usage, and you can reduce the brightness all the way down to 1nit for viewing the screen at night. There’s also a dedicated reading mode that acts as a blue light filter.

The Mi Mix 2 is compatible with most carriers around the world.

The Mi Mix 2 is powered by the 10nm Snapdragon 835, and the base variant of the phone comes with 6GB of RAM. Xiaomi is making three storage configurations available: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB (the model I’m reviewing). The 64GB model is available for what amounts to $500 in China, but you’ll have to shell out close to $570 to get your hands on a unit from reseller sites.

As you’d imagine from a phone that has the latest hardware available today, the Mi Mix 2 absolutely blazes through anything you throw at it. I haven’t noticed any slowdowns yet, and with MIUI 9 providing much-needed optimization for the UI elements, you won’t feel like the interface is bloated (which was definitely the case with MIUI 8).

Xiaomi rolled out its first global phone last year in the Mi Note 2, with the phone featuring support for 37 LTE bands in total. The company is doing the same once again with the Mi Mix 2, offering 42 bands in total. That means that you’ll be able to use the Mi Mix 2 on most carriers around the world, making it a much more enticing option for those looking to import the device.

Aside from the annoyances with the front camera, the Mi Mix 2 is a well-thought-out phone that certainly looks much better when compared to the likes of the OnePlus 5. Xiaomi is also offering a limited edition model crafted out of unibody ceramic that comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage. The phone will be available in black and white color options, and it looks absolutely stunning. You can clearly make out the difference between the ceramic and the aluminum mid-frame on the regular version, but the ceramic unibody edition has a seamless design that’s evocative, particularly in the white color option.

If you’re looking for a phone that stands out, then the unibody ceramic edition is the one to get. The phone will be incredibly hard to get a hold of, however, and at $720 it costs considerably more than the regular version.

Battery life

Xiaomi phones are known for their battery longevity, and the Mi Mix 2 is no different. I easily got a day’s worth of usage out of the 3400mAh battery consistently, even on days when I was using cellular data throughout. I routinely averaged screen-on-time in excess of five hours. And when you do need to top up, the phone has Quick Charge 3.0.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 Software

The Mi Mix 2 runs the latest version of MIUI 9, which is based on Android 7.1.2 Nougat. MIUI 9 has a lot of new additions, but the user-facing ones are (for now) limited to the Chinese ROM. If you’re buying the phone from a reseller like GearBest, you’ll get the global ROM pre-installed, which comes with the Play Store and Google’s suite of apps out of the box.

Xiaomi was one of the first brands to fully embrace a theming engine, and in MIUI 9 the engine is much better. You’ll be able to change every facet of the user interface with themes, and there are hundreds of different theming options available from the Mi Store. Then there are the MIUI mainstays: an easy-to-use one-handed mode, Quick Ball shortcuts on the screen, Second Space, Dual Apps for running two instances of an app simultaneously. Xiaomi also introduced a split-screen mode, and it works just as you’d imagine — select Split Screen from the multitasking pane, and drag apps into the top and bottom halves of the screen.

There’s a lot to like in MIUI 9, but it is very buggy in its current iteration.

One of the main highlights in MIUI 9 is system-wide optimization, which makes the UI feel much more responsive. If you’re used a Xiaomi device running MIUI 8, you’ll immediately notice the difference. That said, MIUI 9 does not bring any visual changes, and the notification shade in particular needs to be overhauled. Although the new panel with the integrated toggles made its debut in MIUI 8 (Xiaomi had a ghastly two-pane layout in MIUI 7), it looks dated. And although the phone is running Nougat, you lose out on features like inline replies and actionable notifications.

Then there’s the issue of receiving notifications. For some reason, the Mi Mix 2 would not show incoming Slack notifications, and there’s no way to expand notifications in the lock screen. The global ROM is still in beta, and there’s a long way to go before we get to a finished build. However, with a global launch slated for next month, these issues should be resolved in forthcoming updates.

Xiaomi continues to deliver weekly updates with bug fixes and stability tweaks, and hopefully notification-related problems will be ironed out before the phone makes its way outside of China. I’ll update the review once a stable version of MIUI 9 is available for the Mi Mix 2.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 Camera

This year was defined by dual cameras making their way into phones across price points, and while Xiaomi rolled out dual rear cameras in the Mi 6, the company is sticking to a single shooter with the Mi Mix 2.

The primary 12MP imaging sensor itself is the same as what we’ve seen on the Mi 6, and it similarly offers 4-axis OIS and the ability to record 4K video at 30fps. And like the Mi 6, the camera on the Mi Mix 2 does a great job in daylight conditions, but it loses out on detail in low-light scenarios.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 Bottom line

The Mi Mix 2 has the same fundamentals as its predecessor: an all-screen front with virtually no bezels on three sides, and a ceramic body. By shrinking the screen size down to 5.99 inches, Xiaomi has created a device that’s easier to use on a day-to-day basis.

For now, the Mi Mix 2 is limited to the Chinese market, but Xiaomi will be rolling it out in other Asian countries shortly. The company has announced that it will launch the phone in India sometime next month, and with Indonesia also becoming a key market for the brand, an eventual launch in that country is also likely in the coming months.

The fact that the Mi Mix 2 has global LTE bands makes it an easy recommendation if you’re looking for a sub-$600 phone that manages to stand out. The same caveats as before apply though: you’re not going to see any after-sales support in markets where Xiaomi doesn’t sell phones, and if this is your first Xiaomi purchase, it’ll take you awhile to get used to MIUI. If you’re willing to put up with that, the Mi Mix 2 is a fantastic phone for the price.

See at GearBest

Toyota’s latest self-driving car is more aware of its surroundings

Toyota barely unveiled its second-generation self-driving testbed half a year ago, but it’s already back with an update. The automaker is showing off a Platform 2.1 research vehicle that has made some big technology strides… including some unusual design decisions. The biggest upgrade is an awareness of its surroundings: the modified Lexus is using new lidar from Luminar that not only sees further and maps more data, but has a “dynamically configurable” field of view that focuses its attention on the areas they’re needed most. There are also new deep learning AI models that are better at spotting objects around the car as well as predicting a safe path.

The cabin is where it gets a little odd. There’s now a unified approach to showing the level of autonomy in the car, but there’s also a second steering wheel on the passenger side of the car. Why? It’s to both improve research and safety, Toyota says. It helps the team study more graceful methods of shifting control between AI and human drivers, and aids in developing algorithms that learn from veteran human drivers to teach rookies. Also, the company’s James Kuffner tells The Verge that the second wheel lets an observer take over from a wayward car without having someone in the driver’s seat.

The second unveiling this year suggests that Toyota doesn’t want to be seen as sitting out the transition to self-driving cars. BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Tesla and others have all either struck deals for practical autonomous vehicles or have made it clear that their technology will show up in shipping cars at some point in the years ahead; Toyota is clearly in that latter camp. It’s still early days, though, so don’t expect to buy a Camry that drives itself any time soon.

Via: The Verge

Source: PR Newswire