Toyota is investigating a small drone system for use in off -road vehicles

Toyota Motor said on Tuesday that it is investigating the development of a small drone system, mainly to support vehicle operations on unpaved roads and paths.

The Japanese car manufacturer said in an application at the Federal Aviation Administration that aims to increase the potential system situational consciousness in places where it is unsafe to leave the vehicle.

“By giving the driver a view of the local environment, including potential dangers around and under the vehicle, drivers can plan safer routes and improve the vehicle control,” said Toyota’s letter, which states that most drone flights will take place close to the vehicle.

“Sometimes operators can let a drone fly above the tree line to capture videos that are used to orient themselves or to capture the site.” In August, the US Department of Transport proposed new rules to accelerate the use of drones outside the field of vision of operators, an important change that is needed to promote commercial applications such as the delivery of packages.

Toyota has submitted comments about the USDOT drone proposal, referring to the previously not-reported current project.

The company has not committed itself to the implementation of the drone system.

“Toyota is constantly working on new technologies in different areas, we currently have no product plans to announce,” said a spokesperson.

USDOT said that eliminating some requirements “will significantly increase the use case for drone technologies in areas such as: production, agriculture, energy production, filmmaking and the relocation of products, including life-saving medicines.”