The Takata Corp. air-bag recall already affecting a dozen automakers in the U.S. may widen as the nations regulator heightens its scrutiny of the devices.

The research institute will focus on the artificial intelligence and robotics technology Toyota needs to make cars that can overcome driver errors and reduce traffic fatalities.

Honda Motor Co. called back 4.5 million vehicles globally in connection with Takata Corp. air bags, expanding the industrys largest recall ever, amid a mounting toll of injuries or deaths related to the safety devices.

Defective Takata air bags caused the July 27 death in Malaysia of a woman in a 2003 Honda City subcompact.

Toyota Motor Corp. made its fourth global recall involving more than a million vehicles this year, as the worlds largest automaker begins operating with stricter supervision over safety from U.S. regulators.