MENU
SEARCHToyota has invested in Nauto, a Palo Alto-based company that has developed a distracted driving system for commercial fleets that monitors drivers and the road environment to increase safe driving.
Screenshot via Nauto.
Screenshot via Nauto.
Toyota has invested in Nauto, a Palo Alto-based company that has developed a distracted driving system for commercial fleets that monitors drivers and the road environment to increase safe driving.
Nauto is one of three technology companies that received funding from the Toyota Research Institite, which has launched Toyota AI Ventures to accellerate development of artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous mobility, data, and cloud-based technology.
Toyota's initial investment of $100 million also went to London-based Slamcore and Intuition Robotics, an Israeli company that has developed AI robots for the elderly. Slamcore develops advanced algorithms for technology platforms such as autonomous cars, drones, and AR/VR systems to build a map of their surroundings and position themselves within it.
Toyota's investment in Nauto came in August of 2016, when the institute participated in a $12 million round of Series A financing.
Fleets in 23 U.S. cities have begun testing Nauto's device, including City Wide Taxi in San Francisco, reports the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
Nauto offers a device packed with AI-powered sensors that's mounted inside a vehicle's windshield that collects data from inside and outside of the vehicle to prevent collisions, improve driver behavior, and learn from the data shared across its cloud network.
The two-directional camera monitors the vehicle's cabin and the road ahead. The system provides driver identification, scoring and evaluation, a live map with the location of fleet vehicles, as well as a custom video request and mark button.
Nauto's device is equipped with GPS, LTE and wireless connections, LEDs, a wide-angle interior camera, and night vision support.
About 68% of collisions in commercial fleets are the result of distracted driving, and one in four of those are the result of cell phone use. Collisions usually cost fleets between $4,000 and $8,000 per vehicle, according to Nauto.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
