The Toyota Research Institute has rolled out what its creators call the GRIP, short for Global Research Innovation Platform. The vehicle is used for testing various drive modes, including sideways sidling known as ‘crab mode’.
The prototype is essentially a bare-bones model of a car lacking bodywork and creature comforts. It is just a base chassis with electronics, suspension and steering installed. Its main purpose is to simplify testing four-wheel-steering technologies.
The video demonstrates a number of scenarios where rear-axle steering can be useful. The GRIP is shown completing a slalom course, drifting and moving diagonally with the rear wheels following the lead of the front ones.
We are told that there are four electric motors involved – one per wheel. This setup enables researching different torque vectoring opportunities and torque distribution strategies. The build is also flexible enough to allow for wheelbase length adjustment.
