The start of a new phase in auto technology research, an educational car building project, and a digital addition to the use of vehicles for art were among the items promoted by automakers recently.

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[naviga:li]Toyota announced that it is launching CSRC Next, a $35 million research phase first announced in 2014 and set to run through 2021. The automaker's Collaborative Safety Research Center will focus on further improvements to vehicle safety, vehicle user experience models to strengthen driver-vehicle interaction, mobility improvements through physiology and health metrics, and the development of algorithms and tools to study naturalistic driving data. Toyota says the new phase also marks the conclusion of a preliminary five-year effort to research and improve vehicle safety. CSRC is partnering with six schools for the next phase, with projects to include advancement of self-driving and connected vehicle technologies.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]A group of Detroit high school students recently got a hands-on learning experience by assembling and testing a 1965 Ford Daytona Coupe. More than 1,000 parts were involved in the process, with students putting the vehicle together over the course of 18 weeks. Ford says the work aimed to showcase technology-based career opportunities. During the build, students were also challenged to come up with potential safety and sustainability improvements for the vehicle.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]The latest addition to the collection of BMW Art Cars uses augmented and virtual reality to take a look at the future of vehicles. Cao Fei, the youngest artist to create a BMW Art Car and the first Chinese artist to participate, used an M6 GT3 race car in its original black color, but incorporated a video and a digital app to allow visitor interaction. Her design allows people to create colorful patterns of light through their movements; the presentation also addresses potential vehicle developments such as autonomous cars and flying vehicles.[/naviga:li]

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