The Genesis Research Institute since its beginning in 1996 has used disciplines such as natural science and the humanities to “further the development of energy and environmental technologies.” It was established on 11 June 1996 – the birthday of the late Kiichiro Toyoda – with joint funding from 12 Toyota Group companies, including Toyota Motor Corporation.
Today Toyota said that the Genesis Research Institute is renamed Toyota Konpon Research Institute. “Twenty-seven years on, society finds itself in an era of great transformation, with the rise of AI and advances in various other fields of science and technology.
“In the midst of these changes, we have been exploring ways for the institute to continue evolving while carrying on our founding vision. We have concluded that, particularly in such periods of change, our role as “an institute that researches, what to research” becomes increasingly important, allowing us to make a greater contribution to society by focusing on fundamental research.
“Collaborating with researchers from across academia, we will continue seeking and exploring areas of fundamental research that can lead to new multi-disciplinary scientific achievement. We will also strive to create opportunities for people within the Toyota Group, who will play a part in shaping the future of society, to engage with the latest developments and cultivate their interest in science,” Toyota said.
Currently located within the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, the institute was led by the late Eiji Toyoda and Shoichiro Toyoda as representative directors. Shoichiro remained at the helm for 27 years until Takeshi Uchiyamada (Toyota Motor Executive Fellow) inherited the role at the annual shareholders’ meeting and the board of directors meeting on 30 June 2023.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Toyota Konpon Research Institute Debuts
The Genesis Research Institute since its beginning in 1996 has used disciplines such as natural science and the humanities to “further the development of energy and environmental technologies.” It was established on 11 June 1996 – the birthday of the late Kiichiro Toyoda – with joint funding from 12 Toyota Group companies, including Toyota Motor Corporation.
Today Toyota said that the Genesis Research Institute is renamed Toyota Konpon Research Institute. “Twenty-seven years on, society finds itself in an era of great transformation, with the rise of AI and advances in various other fields of science and technology.
“In the midst of these changes, we have been exploring ways for the institute to continue evolving while carrying on our founding vision. We have concluded that, particularly in such periods of change, our role as “an institute that researches, what to research” becomes increasingly important, allowing us to make a greater contribution to society by focusing on fundamental research.
“Collaborating with researchers from across academia, we will continue seeking and exploring areas of fundamental research that can lead to new multi-disciplinary scientific achievement. We will also strive to create opportunities for people within the Toyota Group, who will play a part in shaping the future of society, to engage with the latest developments and cultivate their interest in science,” Toyota said.
Currently located within the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, the institute was led by the late Eiji Toyoda and Shoichiro Toyoda as representative directors. Shoichiro remained at the helm for 27 years until Takeshi Uchiyamada (Toyota Motor Executive Fellow) inherited the role at the annual shareholders’ meeting and the board of directors meeting on 30 June 2023.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.