At the Forefront of Lexus and GR Design Development: The Human-Centered Philosophy Behind an Ideal Studio Environment【写真・23枚目】
The Vehicle Development Building brings together teams responsible for planning, design, engineering, prototyping, and evaluation under one roof.
The maintenance floor. The garage is located adjacent to meeting rooms, allowing teams to quickly review test data and discuss development issues.
Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama (TTC-S), Toyota’s new research and development center, entered full-scale operation in March 2024 after nearly 30 years of planning and development.
A helicopter lands near TTC-S’s high-speed evaluation track.
The camouflaged vehicle is the Lexus TZ, which made its world premiere on the day of our visit. Engineers are using an impulse hammer to strike various sections of the body while sensors analyze the resulting impact and vibration responses.
Disaster-relief supply transport exercise conducted in cooperation with Toyota City.
Outdoor evaluation area enclosed on three sides by walls. Models can also be observed from indoors through large windows.
After shaping, highly stretchable Di-Noc film is applied to simulate a painted finish. Depending on the objective, the film may be applied to selected areas or to the entire vehicle to evaluate surface quality and overall presence.
Workspace positioned alongside the modeling platform, allowing work to be carried out directly next to the model. The upper level also serves as a design workspace, with views overlooking the models below.
Large steel plates are bent to match the required curvature and used to smooth broad surfaces.
A variety of specialized tools are used during clay modeling, including serrated scrapers for rough shaping and finishers for surface refinement.
The model room on the opposite side of the floor.
The modeler sculpts, adds, and refines clay surfaces, translating the designer’s sketch into a full-scale vehicle form.
Modelers work to tolerances of less than one millimeter, and in some cases as little as 0.3 mm. Surface tension and shape are verified using straightedges and cross-sectional inspection techniques.
Completed clay models are digitized through measurement. Handheld 3D scanners enable rapid non-contact measurement for aerodynamic analysis, tooling development, and final production data creation.
This computer-controlled milling machine is used to carve clay models. Tasks that once required multiple modelers can now be automated, including overnight operation. Safety systems stop the machine whenever someone enters the work area.
Demonstration of the MR (Mixed Reality) system. Improvements in technology have significantly enhanced realism, making the system particularly useful for evaluating interior space, perceived distances, and occupant enclosure.
Exterior clay model of the Lexus LFA Concept displayed in the model room.
The Design Department Floor occupies the third level of the Vehicle Development Building.
When a model is positioned on the platform, the line-lighting reflection runs through the center of the vehicle.
The ceiling combines diffuse and line-lighting systems.
Additional lighting is integrated into the walls.
Through the headset, a highly realistic full-scale 3D vehicle model is projected into the real world, similar to the image shown on the monitor at left.
Model rooms are located on both sides of the central engineering area (visible on the right).
Interior mock-up of the Lexus TZ.
Dedicated CMF (Color, Material, and Finish) room adjacent to the model room.
Paint sample panels displayed on the wall.
Fabric samples displayed on hanging racks.
A wide range of exterior and interior texture samples.
One of the interior’s distinctive design features is the HVAC outlet positioned close to the driver within the center console.
Even the mock-up was built to allow air to flow through the outlet so its functionality could be evaluated.
Exterior model of the Lexus TZ.
Finished to a level that closely resembles a production vehicle.
Components such as the door mirrors were produced as resin models.
The interior model is finished to such a high standard that it could easily be mistaken for a production vehicle.
Components such as the steering wheel center pad have been crafted with remarkable attention to detail.
Presentation room adjacent to the outdoor evaluation area. The spacious room features diffuse ceiling lighting and three turntables displaying concept vehicles previously shown at the Japan Mobility Show.
