WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Toyota, the world's largest carmaker, announced it is investing $1 billion to create a Silicon Valley research company that will develop artificial intelligence and robotics.
The Toyota Research Institute will focus on "smart" cars with self-driving technologies and other technology applications "to improve production efficiency and accelerate scientific discovery in materials." The new company, which will begin operations in January with about 200 employees, will be located near Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., home to other major companies with eyes on similar technological advances.