Toyota is in discussions to develop small unmanned aerial vehicle systems that can assist off-road vehicles in outdoor driving.
[PCauto] A recent document submitted by Toyota to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reveals that Toyota is exploring the development of a small unmanned aerial system designed to enable vehicles to navigate complex off-road conditions, including unpaved roads and narrow mountain trails.
The drone system primarily enhances the driver’s awareness of hazardous environments
According to Toyota’s explanation to the FAA, when a vehicle encounters scenarios unsuitable for the driver to step out, such as steep slopes, narrow ravines, or areas with obstructed views due to vegetation, the drone provides drivers with a real-time video feed of the vehicle’s surroundings and undercarriage. It can identify potential hazards like obstacles, soft ground, or waterlogged areas, assisting in planning a safer route and thereby enhancing the vehicle’s handling reliability in these scenarios.
“By providing drivers with a view of the local environment, including potential hazards around and beneath the vehicle, this allows them to better plan their route and optimize vehicle operation,” Toyota stated in the document.
In Toyota’s scheme, the drone will by default maintain close proximity to the vehicle. When necessary, however, it can fly over obstacles like tree canopies to film the terrain, thereby aiding the driver in positioning and understanding the surrounding landscape.
Currently, the system is still in the early stages of development, and whether it will be mass-produced or when it will be implemented has not been finalized.
The US Department of Transportation Begins to Relax Drone Regulations
Toyota’s exploration aligns with the recent drone regulatory reforms from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).
In August 2025, USDOT proposed new rules aimed at simplifying the approval process for drone applications “beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).” This adjustment is regarded as a crucial step toward implementing commercial applications such as package delivery and agricultural monitoring.
In its commentary regarding this policy, Toyota first publicly referenced its drone program, showcasing it as a case study of “technology aligning with regulatory developments.”
Similar Technology to Toyota’s Drones Has Already Been Mass-Produced by BYD
In reality, BYD has taken a more significant lead in the field of onboard drones. In March, BYD launched a landmark intelligent drone system developed in partnership with DJI, positioning itself as the first global automaker to commence mass production of integrated vehicle-mounted drones.
The system’s drone supports dynamic takeoff and landing at speeds of 25 km/h, has a maximum follow-me speed of 54 km/h, and features dual ground-to-air perspectives for shooting with a 4K camera on the car roof and the drone.
BYD’s strategy prioritizes seamless integration into its existing vehicle ecosystem, concentrating on use cases like aerial filming, off-road detection, and emergency rescue operations.
Conversely, Toyota’s development centers on fulfilling “critical safety requirements,” primarily by tackling the primary visibility challenges encountered in off-road environments.
Off-road vehicle-mounted drones may become as common as GPS in the future
From a longer-term perspective, Toyota’s move reflects a transition for traditional manufacturers: they are no longer limiting themselves to “building better cars” but expanding the “boundaries of vehicle use scenarios” through the integration of emerging technologies.
Just like the introduction of GPS navigation and adaptive cruise control back in the day, vehicle-mounted drones might become standard equipment for future off-road models. When vehicles enter areas without signals or roads, drones can act as the driver’s eyes.
As countries worldwide progressively establish airspace management frameworks for drones, initiatives like Toyota’s are poised to accelerate their transition from concept to reality. In the not-too-distant future, when you witness a Toyota off-roader easing its way into a secluded mountain trail, a compact drone quietly emerging from its roof may have already become an indispensable companion—ensuring a safer journey through the wilderness ahead.
Tesla launches Model Y Standard in the US, removes glass roof
MichaelOct 09, 2025, 12:09 PM
[PCauto] Tesla officially released the Model Y Standard on October 7, 2025, through its U.S. official website. As the entry-level variant of the regular Model Y, it aims to attract a broader consumer group by simplifying configurations and lowering the price.
The starting price of the Model Y Standard is $39,990 (approximately 169,000 MYR), while the starting price of the regular Model Y is $44,990 (approximately 190,000 MYR), showing a significant difference. These differences mainly lie in exterior design, interior configuration, performance parameters, and intelligent features.
A series of simplified adjustments have been made to the appearance of the Model Y Standard
The Model Y Standard roof material has been changed from the panoramic glass roof of the regular version to a closed metal roof.
The continuous LED light strip in the front design has been removed and an integrated headlight similar to that of the Model 3 has been adopted. The diffuse reflection function of the taillight set in the new Model Y has also been removed, retaining only the basic lighting function.
For the wheels, the Model Y Standard comes standard with 18-inch Aperture wheels, while the regular version is equipped with 19-inch wheels; if users wish to upgrade to 19-inch wheels, they need to pay an additional $1,500 (approximately 6,400 MYR).
These exterior changes make the Model Y Standard visually more modest, reducing its sense of luxury, but the core body structure and safety design are retained.
The interior comfort of the Model Y Standard has been further reduced
The interior and comfort configurations are where the differences between the Model Y Standard and the regular Model Y are most notable.
The seat material has been downgraded from synthetic leather in the regular version to a combination of fabric and synthetic leather, and the front seat ventilation and rear seat heating functions have been removed.
The rear entertainment screen has been completely removed, and the air conditioning system has been simplified, with the HEPA air filtration system downgraded to a regular filter, and the bioweapon defense mode removed.
In addition, the Model Y Standard has also removed ambient lighting, welcome lights, and the power tailgate, all of which are standard features in the regular version.
The audio system has been reduced from 15 speakers (including a subwoofer) to 7 basic speakers, and the FM/AM radio has been removed.
Although these adjustments significantly lower the luxury level of the interior, the Model Y Standard still retains the 15.4-inch central control screen and basic air conditioning system, ensuring the availability of core functions.
The acceleration capability of the Model Y Standard is reduced
In terms of performance, the Model Y Standard has certain differences compared to the regular Model Y. For its power system, the Model Y Standard is equipped with a single-motor rear-wheel-drive configuration, with motor power reduced from the regular version’s 264kW to 220kW. The 0-96 km/h acceleration time has been extended from 5.9 seconds to 6.8 seconds.
In terms of range, the EPA standard range of the Model Y Standard is 321 miles (approximately 516 kilometers), while the regular Model Y has a range of 357 miles (approximately 575 kilometers). This is primarily due to the reduction in battery capacity: the Model Y Standard uses a 69.5kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, while the regular version is equipped with a 78.4kWh battery.
Charging capability has also been downgraded. The Supercharging power of the Model Y Standard is limited to 225kW, lower than the 250kW of the regular version, meaning the charging efficiency of the Model Y Standard is slightly reduced.
Model Y Standard Is Equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Emergency Braking
The Model Y Standard retains the HW4. self-driving hardware and the AMD Ryzen chip, ensuring core computing capabilities consistent with the regular version.
However, in terms of functionality, the automatic steering feature of the basic Autopilot has been removed. It comes standard with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking (AEB). The Full Self-Driving (FSD) package is an optional extra costing $8,000 (approximately 34,000 MYR), while the regular version includes basic Autopilot as standard.
In addition, the Model Y Standard has removed the heated rearview camera feature, which may impact visibility clarity in low-temperature environments.
Although these adjustments reduce some smart features, core safety structures such as the five-star safety rating and multiple airbags have been retained to ensure the vehicle’s basic safety performance.
The Reasons Behind Tesla’s Launch of a Budget Model
In the second quarter of 2025, Tesla’s global delivery volume declined by 13.5% year-on-year, and revenue fell by 12%, partly due to the expiration of U.S. subsidy policies prompting consumers to purchase vehicles in advance.
Elon Musk has proposed a goal of selling 12 million cars over the next decade. As a key product to achieve this goal, the Model Y Standard leverages existing platforms and supply chains to enable rapid mass production and reduce costs by approximately 20%.
In terms of cost control, Tesla achieves price reductions by cutting non-core features while retaining core battery, motor, and electronic control systems and safety structures to ensure the vehicles still meet the five-star safety rating.
