Tokyo Motor Show 2017: Toyota highlights AI, Honda displays electric cars

AI technologies, eco-friendly cars in spotlight at Tokyo Motor Show

The 45th Tokyo Motor Show opened to the press on Wednesday with next-generation cars featuring automated driving, artificial intelligence (AI) and eco-friendly technologies in the spotlight.

A total of 153 companies from various countries displayed their achievements and research plans on next-generation products and services at the show, Xinhua news agency reported.

Toyota Motor Corp, Japan's largest carmaker by volume, unveiled its new concept car "Fine-Comfort Ride" featuring hydrogen fuel cell, and three "Concept-i" vehicles with automated driving and AI technologies.

The scandal-hit Nissan Motor Co and Honda Motor Co both showcased their new electric vehicles, including the "Honda Sports EV Concept" car which is equipped with AI technologies and can interact with the driver.

The show also features connectivity technologies, with an event titled "Tokyo Connected Lab 2017" offering visitors virtual experiences of driving in connected cars in a futuristic society through VR headsets.

The show will be open to the public from October 28 through November 5 at Tokyo Big Sight.

Though one of the world's five major motor shows, the show suffered a decline in popularity in recent years as automakers shifted their attention to the emerging markets.

The biennial show attracted 2.02 million visitors in 1991 at its peak but only some 810,000 visitors in 2015.