• New research projects focus on behavioral safety, crash prevention and passive safety

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 2, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Before joining Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC), Zhaonan Sun spent years studying how the human body absorbs the force of a crash.

Now, as a principal scientist at CSRC, he helps identify opportunities to do something about it.

Sun was a graduate student at the University of Virginia (UVA), studying injury biomechanics and human body modeling under Jason Kerrigan, director of UVA’s Center for Applied Biomechanics since 2019 and long-time collaborator with CSRC. As fate would have it, the researcher Sun once trained under is now his colleague. 

“He spent the time to understand the background. He went and really tried to make the project successful — and he made it sing,” Kerrigan said of Sun’s graduate research. “I was sad to see him go, but I’m really glad he found his way back, this time on the Toyota side.”

For Sun, moving from the lab to Toyota revealed something he hadn’t been able to see before.

“I wouldn’t say the work at the university is the tip of the iceberg. I would say it’s half of the iceberg,” he said. “And now it’s great to see the other half — how we leverage the results to talk to our regulators, rating agencies, and safety stakeholders to reduce the number of fatalities on the road.”

Sun’s path from UVA to Toyota is, in many ways, the story of CSRC itself. When Toyota launched CSRC in 2011, the company posited that investing in safety research in clinical, laboratory, and university settings could pay greater dividends than keeping the work in-house. Now, more than 100 completed studies later, their work is only accelerating.

Today, CSRC announced 10 new safety research projects, in collaboration with seven universities and private sector organizations including UVA, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Michigan and Purdue University. These projects range from how adaptive interfaces can increase driver adoption of advanced safety systems, to new methods for detecting pedestrians and cyclists, to how speeding risk varies by road type and the gap between a driver’s speed and posted limits. 

“CSRC was built on the idea that the best safety research happens when you invest in relationships over time, with the best institutions, the best researchers, and a shared commitment to publishing what you find,” said Jeff Makarewicz, TMNA Group Vice President, R&D.  “Each of these 10 new projects reflects that approach, building up research capabilities and institutional knowledge.”  

CSRC Senior Manager Jason Hallman sees these 10 new projects as a continuation of what he calls a “1+1 = 3 relationship.” In short, Toyota’s engineering knowledge, related government and safety research activity, and academic expertise combine into something no one could produce alone.

“The work we undertake now will build and shape the safety features drivers can benefit from for decades to come.” Hallman said. “Every project we select is a strategic investment in that future: in even safer vehicles, enhanced engineering tools, and results we hope the industry and policymakers can build on.”  

At the heart of much of this work is THUMS, the Total Human Model for Safety, a Toyota-developed virtual human body model that allows researchers to simulate crashes in a digital environment with unprecedented levels of detail.

Although they have their own limitations, computational models can run far more simulations and can predict nearly 100 injury types simultaneously. Sun, who works across multiple university collaborations at CSRC, sits at the center of that process — coordinating between university researchers, Toyota engineers, and safety stakeholders to put the findings to work.

That sense of purpose extends to the researchers CSRC has helped train over 15 years, many of whom have gone on to positions in government, academia, and across the automotive industry, and in a few cases, like Sun, to Toyota itself.

“It’s very exciting to have my fingerprint on the future of vehicle safety,” he said. “Using human body models and doing virtual testing is a professional passion of mine. I’m excited to see where the future leads with these new projects and how we can help to better protect everyone on the road.”

Details on each of the 10 new projects are below. 

Collaborator: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Project Name: Adaptive Interfaces for increasing ADAS adoption
Key Question: How do a driver’s expected benefits and concerns affect when they choose to use advanced driver assistance (ADAS) across various situations?
Approach: Drivers will view various story-framed driving videos and report their perceived effort, value, risk and likelihood to use specific ADAS features.

Collaborator: Purdue University/Ohio State University
Project Name: Naturalistic vulnerable road user (VRU) detection with Micro-Doppler Radar
Key Question: How can current radar sensors signals and novel AI models enhance VRU detection for future rating assessments?
Approach: Researchers will collect real-world radar data from current automotive sensors and use it to develop novel AI algorithms that can more quickly detect and distinguish between pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.

Collaborator: Touchstone Evaluations, Inc.
Project Name: Speeding-related crash outcomes based on road type and context 
Key Question: What are the injury and fatality risks of speeding based on posted speed limit and speed differential? 
Approach: Researchers will analyze crash data to measure how injury and fatality risk changes based on road type, posted speed limit, and how far a driver is traveling above it. 

Collaborator: Touchstone Evaluations, Inc.
Project Name: Speed compliance effects on surrounding vehicles  
Key Question: How does a driver’s speed affect the surrounding traffic behavior?  
Approach: Researchers will analyze real-world driving data to quantify how a driver’s speed — compared to surrounding traffic — affects the behavior of nearby vehicles. 

Collaborator: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) 
Project Name: Parametric studies with varying size/shape human body models (HBM)  
Key Question: How to treat different HBMs to align virtual testing results across OEMs and regions?  
Approach: Researchers will run virtual crash tests using three widely available HBMs across standard and modified geometries to identify ways to align results across automakers and regions. 

Collaborator: University of Michigan-Dearborn/UMTRI  
Project Name: Vehicle to network (V2N) safety benefits for anticipatory assistance  
Key Question: How can V2N communication be best leveraged to increase driver safety? 
Approach: Researchers will leverage international efforts and U.S.-specific crash and driving records to identify where vehicle-to-network communication can best give drivers earlier warning of potential hazards ahead. 

Collaborator: University of Virginia   
Project Name: Virtual testing sensitivity to human body model (HBM) updates 
Key Question: What are the effects of small changes in HBMs on injury metrics and virtual testing results? 
Approach: Researchers will build an automated simulation framework to test how small version updates to virtual human body models affect injury predictions in crash scenarios.

Collaborator: University of Virginia    
Project Name: Foot posture and implication for ankle injury risk prediction 
Key Question: What are the predicted effects of a range of footwell geometries and foot posture on ankle injury risk? 
Approach: Researchers will collect vehicle interior measurements and run computer simulations to understand how different foot positions and footwell designs affect ankle injury risk in a crash.

Collaborator: University of Virginia    
Project Name: Lumbar spine injury prediction with crash test dummies 
Key Question: How to enable lumbar spine injury risk prediction in upright and reclined seating positions from values provided by different dummies?
Approach: Researchers will run crash simulations to develop a method for translating lower-back injury readings from crash test dummies into injury risk predictions for real occupants. 

Collaborator: University of Wisconsin-Madison     
Project Name: Alert annoyance and interaction mitigation strategies  
Key Question: Do the characteristics of the alert source influence the driver’s level of annoyance?
Approach: Volunteers will complete scenario-based surveys and interviews to measure how different types of alerts — and where they come from — affect driver annoyance and  use of safety and convenience features.

About Toyota 

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.  

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of over 50 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. 

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com. 

About TMNA R&D 

For more than 50 years, Toyota’s Research & Development groups in North America have participated in engineering projects for several of the best-selling Toyota vehicles on U.S. roads. Teams are now creating both next-generation vehicles and new and advanced mobility concepts that can better move people, goods and information. Centered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Toyota’s North American R&D groups are pursuing Toyota’s mission to “Produce Happiness for All” by making life safer, easier and more enjoyable. 

Media Contact
Dan Nied
[email protected]

SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

• New GRMN Corolla Represents the Pinnacle of GR Corolla Performance
• Increased Engine Torque and Chassis Enhancements Help Deliver a More Engaging, Track-Inspired Driving Experience
• Dedicated Aerodynamic and Suspension Components Developed Through Super Taikyu Competition and Nürburgring Testing
• All-Wheel-Drive Control Optimized Further Through Extensive Nürburgring Development

PLANO, Texas, June 1, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Driving enthusiasts, rejoice: GAZOO Racing (GR) has unveiled the 2026 GRMN Corolla, the ultimate in GR Corolla performance. This track-oriented compact hatchback was developed under GR’s philosophy of “making better cars starting from motorsport,” and it was engineered so drivers can confidently push it to the limit at the Nürburgring, where Master Driver Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo, began his driving career.

Born from Morizo’s strong desire “to bring back a Corolla that captivates customers,” the GR Corolla has been exhaustively refined.

The 2026 GRMN Corolla will be built at Toyota Motor Corporation’s Motomachi plant in Japan, primarily for North America, Japan and Australia. More information on the full model specifications and Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price will be provided later.

What’s New
The GRMN Corolla represents the ultimate expression of the GR Corolla, engineered to deepen the connection between car and driver and inspire confidence even at the limits of performance. Developed with a singular focus on responsiveness, control and driver engagement, it pursues a wilder, more visceral character through increased engine torque and a series of purpose-built enhancements drawn directly from motorsports competition and intensive circuit testing.

Its development reflects lessons learned through competition in the Super Taikyu series and repeated testing at the Nürburgring, where dedicated aerodynamic parts, suspension components and optimized all-wheel-drive control were honed to help elevate performance.

Inside, the GRMN Corolla continues that driver-first philosophy with an evolved cockpit featuring dedicated seats and a flocked instrument panel, creating a more focused environment designed to help the driver concentrate more fully on the road ahead.

Pushed to the Limit to Challenge the Nürburgring
In response to Morizo’s directive that “if it bears the GRMN name, it must be able to run the Nürburgring properly,” the GR team developed the GRMN Corolla through intensive Nürburgring testing. The Nürburgring – often called the world’s most demanding circuit – exposes inputs and surface changes that do not appear on ordinary test tracks and brings a car’s weaknesses to light. The team tuned the car so that, from low speeds to full racing speeds and even on rough surfaces, it should respond more in line with the driver’s intentions.

GRMN Corolla development included not only Nürburgring testing but also participation in Japan’s Super Taikyu endurance racing series and extensive verification using the latest driving simulators. Through this extensive testing came unexpected issues. By pushing the vehicle to its limits, the GR team was able to address each issue one by one and pursue a high level of vehicle-driver harmony so the car and driver can continue to communicate even at the limit.

The insights gained during GRMN Corolla development have also been applied to the evolution of the base GR Corolla. For example, the GR Corolla, announced in September 2025, extended the application of structural adhesive on the body by 45.6 feet to a total of 107.2 feet to strengthen the body structure, and it was equipped with a cool air duct to reduce intake air temperature under high-load driving – both measures born from Nürburgring learnings.

Key Features of the GRMN Corolla
Aerodynamics refined in Super Taikyu and at the Nürburgring
In Super Taikyu Series races and at the Nürburgring, cars run at high speeds and under high lateral G-forces. To maximize performance in such conditions, it’s essential to keep all four wheels firmly planted.

The GRMN Corolla features exclusively developed aerodynamic performance parts for enhanced road holding. Its hood duct, fender ducts, front side spoilers and rear wing incorporate know-how gained from racing, tested on the hydrogen engine-powered GR Corolla that competes in the Super Taikyu Series.

Based on all-inclusive Super Taikyu Series trial and error, fine-tuning came at the Nürburgring. This effort included adjusting the rear wing angle, which features a five-step adjustment mechanism, in 1-degree increments during driving tests with professional drivers to verify effectiveness and determine the optimal specification.

Dedicated Suspension Tuned through Nürburgring Development
The GRMN Corolla’s suspension employs exclusive front and rear monotube shock absorbers with rebound springs for improved inner-wheel traction during cornering and for enhanced high-speed cornering performance.

The Nürburgring road surface includes environments that induce significant vertical suspension travel beyond that experienced on typical circuits. To ensure high stability for confident driving even in such conditions, extensive Nürburgring test runs facilitated optimization of bump-stop characteristics. The exclusive shock absorbers were developed by adjusting their stroke down to a millimeter at the front and rear for optimal balance.

To improve cornering stability and braking performance, high-grip Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires were added.

The EPS (electric power steering) control program was also to generate the required amount of assistance torque even during cornering under high g-forces. The exclusively tuned 4WD control system provides optimal rear torque distribution during straight-line driving and enhanced stability at the onset of steering input at extremely high speeds.

Internal Combustion Advancements Informed by the Hydrogen GR Corolla
GR has been gaining valuable lessons for the evolution of the internal combustion engine by competing in the Super Taikyu Series with a hydrogen engine-powered GR Corolla, as extended, high-load endurance racing helps heighten not only the potential of hydrogen technology but also that of fundamental internal combustion engine components.

Based on insights from Super Taikyu, the GRMN Corolla’s peak engine torque was increased to 302 pound-feet. The development team optimized the GRMN Corolla’s engine characteristics by analyzing the range of engine use during circuit driving, focusing on increasing torque in the 4,000–4,600 rpm mid-speed range, which is crucial for accelerating out of corners.

The GRMN Corolla includes an intercooler spray system to help maintain stable engine output during continuous full-throttle driving, along with the cool-air duct added to the 2026 GR Corolla.

Also, in pursuit of an even higher level of performance and an “untamed energy that captivates customers”, the GRMN Corolla has no rear seats as part of an effort to achieve thorough weight reduction. The power-to-weight ratio has been improved by reducing weight by 66 pounds compared to the base vehicle, providing customers with an unparalleled driving experience.

Cockpit Designed for Higher Performance
Beyond driving performance, the cockpit is specially crafted for the GRMN Corolla. To allow drivers to fully exploit the car’s potential, seats and the instrument panel were upgraded.

The GRMN Corolla features a semi-bucket sport seats upholstered in black and red Brin Naub suede and synthetic leather, combining premium materials with purposeful lateral support for performance driving. Accented with distinctive GR detailing, the seats reinforce the model’s motorsport-inspired character while delivering a focused, driver-oriented cockpit experience.

The cockpit is focused on enabling driver concentration, featuring a dedicated flocked instrument panel and front pillar trim. A carbon ornament manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation’s Motomachi Plant carbon division is installed on the passenger-side instrument panel, and a dash pad bearing Morizo’s signature is included. Door trim and the shift knob are accented with Alumite red, and a GRMN-exclusive serial number plate is fitted.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs approximately 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 36 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Media Contacts:
Marjorie Owens
[email protected]

SOURCE Toyota Motor North America