More pics of Toyota's i-unit personal mobility vehicle
By Peter Rojas 
posted Dec 8th 2004 1:47PM
posted Dec 8th 2004 1:47PM
Flex hit the Tokyo Motor Show last week and snapped these live shots for us of Toyota's new i-unit personal mobility vehicle, which we mainly think was designed to appeal to that ever-elusive Invid demographic. Click to see a couple more shots.
Finally a YUGO with style!!!
Now THIS makes me believe that one day, we will indeed live in the future!
1. Where can I get one?
2. How much?
"... designed to appeal to that ever-elusive Invid demographic." lol Forgot about those guys, but you're dead on.
Is it just me, or do the headlights look like the death rays from "The War of The Worlds?"
Actually without that cyrogenic pod thingy this thing looks sexay. I think those wheels would look great on a scooter or runabout.
Either it's a personal scooter of the future, or it's a wheelchair for old people who cannot breath the toxic poluted air of the future.
Plus it has too much blind spot, where's the rear view mirror?
Lots of flaws, hopefully it's a prototype.
is this me or this thing looks like a hyped-up wheelchair?! finally paraplegics can travel in style!
why does it look like a semi-recumbant segway? i'd have more fun on gas-powered rollerblades...but wait, if it comes with a free i-pod then maybe....
Re: Invid demographic - Let's just hope it doesn't run on Protoculture.
What's with all the glowing alien bubble designs these days. Creepy.
does anyone know how fast it will go in both the sitting and laying positions?
if there is an accident you are plasma! cute, but looks like a death buggy.
Hmm... I'm a little concerned about how to change a flat tire...
When upright, you don't have much rearview, but then it's moving slowly and hopefully in a safer environment. When reclined there is a rearview mirror mounted high on the windshield.
This device is supposed to be capable of "highway speeds" (a more precise number would be good). Think of it as a combo segway / motorcycle that will keep you dry in the rain.
Heck, if such a thing were available for less than $15K, and really could hit highway speeds (by which I mean at least 75mph), and it was street legal in the US, I'm fairly sure I'd have to have one.
Guys this is not new news. This "car" was at the Sydney Motor Show way back in October. I actually saw the thing driving (the seat moves out and lowers to allow the driver to get in easly). I've read comments about it not been able to take more than one person - so what it does is allow for a "follow me" feature (like a train) to move a family (I guess laws will need revision to allow kids to "drive" cars).
See the pics at http://carsguide.news.com.au/aims/gallery/
Actually, this isn't quite the same one. That was the previous version in Sydney. It's gotten a little swoopier since then, and the internal controls have changed, but the overall configuration seems pretty much the same.
Yes, it's supposed to have an automated driving system "in equipped lanes" that allows for auto-following and "accident free" driving.
Like Mountain/Ash pointed out this vehicle has been around for about a year or more....
These pics are of the original Toyota PM concept vehicle - you can find tons of pics and even small video clips of it all around on the web. It may have been the original incarnation of the "i-unit" but it's not the newest design that was shown ealier.
In addition to changing posture, turning within it's own footprint and a seat that mechanically slides down and out to facilitate easier entry (possibly also for elderly people), this vehicle also used a colorful LED body paneling that allowed the vehicles to communicate with each other. This was one of the ways they planned to faciltate "caravaning".
I want one.
Hmm, expect for: What does it run on? What license do I need? Can I actualy get one?
Anyway, this would be perfect. Relaxed and extremly stylish.
Me inside with my black lambfur coat. Cool :)
And the white iPod ... yeah, baby ...
I too saw it (the model in the photographs) at the Sydney International Motor Show. There were just so many people there just waiting for the next show (it was displayed/demoed once every hour or so).
Quite an interesting concept though.
But will it be the future transportation mode? Who knows! We'll just have to look through the archives of engadget many years time to see how far we've gotten with this, as well as other technologies.
Manufacturers always have their concept of the future, but whether it happens, or if it just becomes a high priced "toy" remains to be seen.
oh no, a Robotech reference! Nicely done. Let's hope the next generation of the vehicles come out in purple too.
Sure, maybe it could go highway speeds(75-80mph), but would you want to? That barely looks as safe as a motorcycle...
For day to day things, like going shopping, or anything not over 55mph-ish, that does look cool though...
Holophile:
Indeed, we got a few cuts of the original prototype version in our video program from Tokyo Motor Show November 2003:
http://www.wirelesswatch.jp/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=448
Totally Cool unit.. ;-)
Lars.
Sorta Reminds meof a cellphone
Looks very Sci-Fi. Is there any price tag for it? :D
i want one of those! this is perfect for lazy people like me
I wonder what would happend if the foot robot looses balance and falls down into the floor (perhaps over some other pedestrian), keeping in mind that the hole thing weights 200 kg.
what next? mobile suite gundams? hrmm... think about military application? construction? heavy equipment?
very interesting...