Toyota has just unveiled the prototype of their 3-wheel i-ROAD urban mobility vehicle at the TED Conference in Vancouver.
Those who experienced the vehicle described it as a cross between a zip scooter and an eco-friendly electric car. Toyota is describing this electric two-seater as a “personal mobility vehicle.” The company used the TED Conference as their launching platform for to gauge how the attendees see the future of mobility.
However, the i-ROAD is not designed to be your primary highway-driving vehicle. John Schultz of Toyota Motor Sales USA states that the vehicle would be most effective for every day short trips, such as running errands and grocery shopping.
This from Business Insider:
The i-Road weighs about 660 pounds (300 kilos), has a top speed of 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour) and a range of about 30 miles (48 kilometers). It recharges in three hours and plugs into standard outlets. Gyroscopes and sensors for balancing the three-wheeled vehicle result in it leaning through turns similar to the exhilarating way motorcycles take curves.
“In the 20 years I’ve been in the car business, this is the most fun, interesting ride dynamic I’ve ever had because of the rear-steer and the active lean system,” Schulz said.
The vehicles are currently being tested in Tokyo, Silicon Valley, and France.
Here at ECS, we’re looking for the next big thing in transportation. That’s why we teamed up with Toyota to establish the ECS Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship.
