Just showed Mirai-based research vehicle w/ satellite tech from @KymetaCorp More: https://t.co/EupvcpRubp #NAIAS pic.twitter.com/rg9jsGuQFU
— Toyota USA (@Toyota) January 12, 2016
Last year, Dr. Michio Kaku excitedly hailed the Toyota Mirai as the beginning of an emission-free future at CES 2015.
It's a year later, and the Mirai is making waves at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Last week, Toyota displayed a research vehicle at NAIAS. Based on the Mirai, this concept is embedded with flat-panel satellite antennas.
You heard right: flat satellite antenna.
Typically, communication with a satellite requires a dish. As rich and stable a source for data communications a satellite may be, it has always been impractical to drive around with a large dish mounted to the hood of a car!
Since 2013, however, Toyota has been partnering with Kymeta -- the first company to demonstrate flat profile satellite antennas which can be embedded easily in a vehicle.
This development is big news for connectivity -- an important step in creating a functional self-driving car, as well as for data streaming and emergency communication.
Visit Capitol Toyota to test drive a new Toyota vehicle.
