The Toyota RAV4 was seen testing in India recently. Reportedly, it was spotted with a bunch of LiDAR sensors which is a crucial component of autonomous driving technology. India frequently serves as an excellent testing ground for new models, given its diverse topographies and climatic conditions. Consequently, car manufacturers often conduct vehicle testing in India to validate them for other global markets. Additionally, auto companies import new models into India for component testing. In such instances, these components may subsequently be utilized in upcoming new models or facelift models of existing vehicles. We believe that the current scenario aligns with the latter situation. Now, let’s thoroughly explore the specifics of this recent sighting.
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Toyota RAV4 Spotted Testing in India
These images arrive to us from Rushlane on Instagram. They capture the famous SUV from Toyota on Indian soil. Note that the RAV4 has been an iconic model in the international markets for decades now. That’s why it is intriguing to spot it on our turf. As per various reports online, this SUV contains as many as 4 LiDAR sensors. That indicates one thing only – Autonomous Driving Technology. On top of that, the sticker on the rear windshield reads ‘On Test By ARAI Govt. Of India’. This means that this SUV is testing the autonomous driving capabilities of the technology in Indian conditions.
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Indian roads are some of the most challenging in the world. We don’t often have proper lane markings, people don’t strictly adhere to the traffic signs and there can be tons of unpredictable circumstances including animals and animal-driven carts. Hence, a sophisticated version of the autonomous driving tech is needed. Toyota might be aiming to introduce ADAS in its future offerings. Hence, this system might be getting accustomed to the Indian conditions. In fact, necessary tweaks will be made to this system after analysing the data from these test runs.
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Author’s Note
With years of observation in the automobile industry, we’ve gained insight into the meticulous testing procedures carmakers undertake before launching any new vehicle, a practice consistent across all markets. This testing phase is extensive and laborious, though often overlooked by many. Every car undergoes hundreds of thousands of kilometres to ensure seamless integration of its components. Hence, performing aftermarket modifications on cars is generally discouraged, as the stock model is finely calibrated to harmonize all elements. We are eagerly anticipating learning more about the RAV4 testing process and are confident that insights will surface in due course.
