Toyota Research Institute will show its next-generation automated driving research vehicle, Platform 3.0, at CESnext week in Las Vegas. The new platform, which is built on a Lexus LS 600hL, combines greater technological capabilities with new harmonized styling that integrates the automated vehicle technology into the LS model’s design. It will be on display in Toyota’s CESexhibit in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center beginning Tues., Jan. 9.
“Our team has once again rapidly advanced our automated vehicle research capabilities,†said Dr. Gill Pratt, TRI CEO and Toyota Motor Corporation Fellow. “To elevate our test platform to a new level, we tapped Toyota’s design and engineering expertise to create an all-new test platform that has the potential to be a benchmark in function and style.â€
TRI approached development of a new research platform with three core principles:
(1) Elevate perception capabilities to be an industry pacesetter among automated vehicles.
(2) Blend the sensing equipment into the vehicle design with a distinct appearance that is sleek and elegant.
(3) Package the automated vehicle technology in a manner that is easy to reproduce for building a fleet at scale.
PERCEPTION TECHNOLOGY
Platform 3.0 represents maturing of TRI’s automated vehicle research. Experimentation has transitioned to narrowing in on a technology package with a more defined sensor configuration and level of performance that helps catapult proficiency in understanding the world around the car.
Platform 3.0 has a very sensor-rich package that makes it one of the most perceptive automated driving test cars on the road. The Luminar LIDAR system with 200-meter range, which had only tracked the forward direction on TRI’s previous test platform, now covers the vehicle’s complete 360-degree perimeter. This is enabled by four high-resolution LIDAR scanning heads, which precisely detect objects in the environment including notoriously difficult-to-see dark objects.
Shorter-range LIDAR sensors are positioned low on all four sides of the vehicle – one in each front quarter panel and one each on the front and rear bumpers. These can detect low-level and smaller objects near the car like children and debris in the roadway. The new platform remains flexible for incorporating future breakthrough technology as it becomes available.
DESIGN
TRI engaged the expertise of CALTY Design Research in Ann Arbor, Mich. and engineers at Toyota Motor North America Research and Development (TMNA R&D) to compact and conceal the sensors and cameras. They created a new rooftop weather and temperature proof panel, cleverly using available space in the sunroof compartment to minimize the overall height. Their ingenuity eliminates the look of equipment as bolt-on appendages and replaces the “spinning bucket†LIDAR sensor that has historically characterized autonomous test vehicles.
CALTY designed the confident image of the rooftop panel, defined as intelligent minimalism, which is inspired by off-road motorcycle helmets. The forward area has a crisp technical look that becomes more fluid and aerodynamic toward the rear of the car, unifying with the contour lines of the LS. The panel is embellished with chrome trim that runs along the side where it meets the roofline.
“Automotive designers’ roles have been pivoting toward thinking deeper and greater on how to design and apply automated driving technology for drivers and passengers,†said Scott Roller, Senior Lead Designer at CALTY Design Research who worked on the project. “It’s exciting to integrate the components in harmony with the car’s design.â€
The vehicle’s computational architecture for operating the automated vehicle components, which previously consumed nearly all trunk space, has also been consolidated. The electronics infrastructure and wiring in condensed into a small box exquisitely adorned with an LED-lit TRI logo.
PRODUCTION
Production of Platform 3.0 vehicles begins this spring. The Prototype Development Center at TMNA R&D headquarters in York Township, Michigan, which has expertise in low volume, specialized production, will create Platform 3.0 cars from stock Lexus LS models.
Production volume is intentionally low to allow for continued flexibility given the quickness with which TRI has progressed in updating its test platform. There have been three major updates, including two new generation test models, in less than a year, and TRI anticipates continued rapid developments.
A share of the new test vehicles will be assembled with the dual cockpit control layout that TRI debuted last summer. This arrangement is for testing TRI’s Guardian approach to automated driving, experimenting with effective methods to transfer vehicle control between the human test driver and the automated system while maintaining a safety driver as a backup. Single cockpit vehicles, like the one on display at CES, are used to test Chauffeur, which is TRI’s approach to full vehicle automation.
Both Guardian and Chauffeur test vehicles use the same technology stack of sensors and cameras and similar software.
Green SM launches 500 electric SUVs in Southern California with company-employed drivers and a fleet it owns.
Green SM has entered the U.S. market with a 500-vehicle electric fleet in Los Angeles, introducing a ride-hailing model built around company-owned cars and full-time drivers. The Vietnamese company is betting that consistent service and an employment-based workforce can help it stand out in a market dominated by Uber and Lyft.
Green SM launches its U.S. ride-hailing service with a fleet of 500 VinFast VF 8 electric SUVs.
A Fleet Built Around the VinFast VF 8
Every vehicle in Green SM’s initial Los Angeles fleet is a five-seat VinFast VF 8 electric SUV. The company says its vehicles are operating across Los Angeles County and extending into Orange County.
Customers can request rides through the Green SM app, call the company’s hotline or hail a vehicle on the street. Fares depend on time and distance, while the company is promoting discounted rides to attract new customers.
The VF 8 serves as Green SM’s primary vehicle for its Los Angeles operations.
Company Drivers Instead of Gig Workers
Green SM’s main distinction is its employment model. The company owns its vehicles and employs its drivers, providing training, maintenance and scheduled shifts rather than relying on independent contractors using their own cars.
The approach is designed to create a more consistent service experience. Drivers complete a selection and onboarding process before beginning work, while the company manages the vehicles and their upkeep.
Green SM employs its drivers directly and manages the vehicles used for its ride-hailing service.
Discounts for Early Customers
Green SM is offering new customers 50% off their first five rides, with a maximum discount of $12 per trip. Its Green Pass membership also includes 10 monthly vouchers offering 30% off, capped at $10 per ride.
The company has also identified airport transfers as a potential service. However, the arrangements and timing for operations at Los Angeles International Airport have not been publicly detailed.
The VF 8’s cabin provides the passenger space used for Green SM’s ride-hailing trips.
Green SM Enters a Competitive Market
Los Angeles is Green SM’s first U.S. market. The business began in Vietnam in 2023 and has since expanded into other international markets.
Its arrival adds another competitor to Southern California’s evolving transportation sector, where conventional ride-hailing companies and autonomous vehicle services are expanding their presence. Green SM’s strategy centers on combining electric vehicles with company-managed operations rather than relying on a gig-based workforce.
Green SM is entering a competitive market as electric and autonomous transportation services continue to expand.
The company’s long-term prospects will depend on customer demand, service reliability and its ability to expand beyond its initial fleet. For now, its Los Angeles launch offers a different approach to electric ride-hailing in the United States.
The automaker is inviting select R1 and R2 owners to try a new route-based driving assistant before a wider U.S. rollout.
Rivian is preparing to expand its driver-assistance technology with Point to Point, a system designed to handle more of a journey than conventional hands-free highway assistance. The first phase will be limited to selected customers, with a broader rollout planned for 2027.
Rivian is starting its latest driving technology program with eligible owners of newer R1 models and the R2.
From Highway Assistance to Full Routes
Point to Point builds on Rivian’s existing Universal Hands-Free system. It is designed to follow a planned route, including turns, highway merges and surface streets, while the driver remains responsible for supervising the vehicle.
The technology combines the vehicle’s sensors and cameras with Rivian’s Large Driving Model, which interprets surrounding conditions and helps determine how the vehicle should respond.
Point to Point aims to manage more of a planned journey while requiring the driver to remain attentive.
Who Can Join the Early Access Program?
The initial program targets eligible Gen 2 R1 and R2 owners in California and Florida. Applicants must have an active paid Autonomy+ subscription; free trials do not qualify.
Rivian will consider existing use of its driver-assistance features, recent safety records and a balance of vehicle models and regions when selecting participants. Owners can register their interest through the Autonomy Early Access tile in their Rivian account.
Eligible owners can register their interest through their Rivian account.
Testing Comes With Conditions
Selected participants must use the preview features weekly, report issues and complete monthly surveys. They must also agree to data collection that includes location and camera data, under a non-disclosure agreement.
The program is unpaid, and Rivian can reassess participants’ eligibility every 30 days. First-generation R1 vehicles and Canadian owners are excluded from the initial phase.
Camera and sensor data are part of the technology Rivian is developing and evaluating.
A Wider Rollout Is Planned for 2027
Rivian expects Point to Point to reach a broader group of Autonomy+ customers in 2027, following the early-access phase. Feedback from interested owners outside California and Florida may also help inform which states are considered for expansion.
The R2 is among the vehicles targeted for the initial program, with wider availability expected to follow.
Point to Point remains a Level 2 driver-assistance system, not fully autonomous driving. Drivers must stay attentive and be ready to take control at all times.
Green and Smart Mobility enters the U.S. market with an all-electric taxi and ride-hailing service.
GSM Expands Into the United States
Los Angeles is GSM’s first U.S. market and its ninth country of operation. Before entering the United States, the company operated in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Kazakhstan, Denmark and the Netherlands.
The launch gives GSM a presence in North America as it pursues a broader international expansion strategy. Its all-electric fleet also connects the company’s growth to the development of electric mobility services, particularly in major cities where taxis and ride-hailing vehicles can accumulate substantial daily mileage.
GSM is expanding its all-electric mobility business into the United States with its launch in Los Angeles.
The scale of the company’s U.S. operation, including its initial fleet size, service coverage and passenger pricing, will be important factors in determining how quickly it can establish a presence in the local market.
VinFast Connection and Electric Vehicle Strategy
GSM is closely linked to VinFast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer. The taxi operator has previously said it intends to purchase up to one million VinFast electric vehicles between 2026 and 2030, a target that would make fleet demand a significant part of its relationship with the automaker.
The planned purchases could support VinFast by creating a large potential source of demand for its vehicles. For GSM, meanwhile, using electric vehicles across its mobility operations aligns its fleet strategy with its focus on all-electric transportation.
VinFast is the vehicle supplier connected to GSM’s plans for expanding its electric mobility fleet.
However, the stated purchase target is a multi-year intention rather than confirmation that all the vehicles have already been ordered or delivered. The pace of deployment will depend on the company’s expansion plans and the operational requirements of each market.
GSM’s International Expansion Plans
The Los Angeles launch forms part of a wider international growth strategy. GSM has previously outlined plans to deploy fleets in the United States and Sweden, as well as expand its presence in the Netherlands. The company has also indicated that it wants to enter additional European markets in 2027.
Its U.S. entry is therefore one part of a larger effort to build an international electric mobility business. Expanding across multiple markets could increase the company’s operating scale, although each country presents different regulatory requirements, competitive conditions and customer expectations.
GSM is seeking to expand its electric taxi operations beyond its established Asian and European markets.
The company’s financial scale is another area of interest as it prepares for a potential Hong Kong stock market listing. GSM has been preparing for a possible pre-IPO phase, while previous valuation discussions have placed the business at approximately $20 billion, based on advice reportedly received by the company.
Vietnamese brokerage VNDirect estimated that GSM generated approximately $1 billion in gross merchandise value in 2025. Gross merchandise value represents the total value of transactions facilitated through a business and should not be confused with revenue or profit. GSM does not publicly disclose detailed financial results.
What the Los Angeles Launch Means for GSM
GSM’s entry into Los Angeles establishes its first North American operation and expands its international footprint to nine markets. The company’s strategy combines electric vehicle deployment, ride-hailing services and an existing relationship with VinFast.
The next indicators to watch will include fleet expansion, geographic coverage, passenger demand and the company’s ability to compete with established ride-hailing operators. Its potential listing in Hong Kong could also become an important milestone as it seeks to finance and scale its international business.
For now, the Los Angeles launch marks a significant geographic expansion for GSM. Its longer-term success will depend on how effectively it translates its experience in other markets into a competitive U.S. operation.
-
NOW TRENDING2 months agoTesla Cybercab Gets September 3 Austin Launch Date
-
TEST DRIVES2 months ago2025 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands: The Adventure SUV You Can Drive Every Day
-
TEST DRIVES2 months ago2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition
-
NOW TRENDING1 month agoAston Martin DBX Becomes Harry Da Souza’s Ride in MobLand
-
NOW TRENDING2 months agoTesla Cybercab Puts U.S. Regulations to the Test
-
Formula12 months agoFIA Reveals Second ADUO Results With Red Bull-Ford Still on Top
-
NOW TRENDING2 months ago2027 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Gets a Power Boost
-
NOW TRENDING2 months agoHyundai Reports Strong Hybrid Sales in August 2026
You must be logged in to post a comment Login