Toyota takes another stab at personal mobility with the i-REAL

Just in case the i-unit and i-swing concepts weren't enough to satisfy your imagination, Toyota is giving the whole personal mobility gig one more go with the i-REAL. Granted, we aren't sure if the name is insinuating that this thing is anywhere near commercialization, but nevertheless, this body mover sports three wheels, one of which can extend upwards and back depending on speed. Additionally, it employs "perimeter monitoring sensors to detect when a collision with a person or object is imminent and alerts the driver by emitting a noise and vibrating." Still, we're not exactly sure there's a market for Segway-wheelchair mashups just yet, but feel free to check out lots more pictures over at AutoblogGreen if you're digging the design.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

[Paul @ Oct 11th 2007 12:58AM]

SWEET! I had hoped an idea would present itself that would allow me to be even lazier than I could be with a Segway.

[Tony @ Oct 11th 2007 12:59AM]

i-REAL? SRSLY?

[Blackstar @ Oct 11th 2007 8:22AM]

i-really-don't-want-1

[john @ Oct 11th 2007 1:03AM]

Finally an upgrade for Fleet Captain Pike.

[kevjohn @ Oct 11th 2007 12:36PM]

You couldn't see this but I just blinked "yes" for your comment.

[01 @ Oct 11th 2007 7:14PM]

man, beat me to it....No if that damn Kirk would wipe that smile off his face we could be getting places!

[jroc @ Oct 11th 2007 1:04AM]

Hey toyota it is already invented... it is called a wheelchair and it is for paraplegics. But thumbs up for using the oh-so-original i-prefix.

[szamot @ Oct 11th 2007 1:06AM]

Yes they all look like wheelchairs and not even good ones either. Can they climb a staircase? NO?! NEXT.

[Ryhan @ Oct 11th 2007 1:15AM]

Actually, a previous model was capable of climbing steps.... even if it was "featured" in the Aichi World Expo in the stupid Toyota pavillion which was just a stupid show...

[Ryhan @ Oct 11th 2007 1:30AM]

http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/19/toyotas-i-foot-human-controlled-walking-robot/
again stupid, but heh, it WALKS!!!

[Luis @ Oct 11th 2007 1:17AM]

Professor X approves.

[Clinton Christian @ Oct 11th 2007 1:57AM]

lol, exactly what I was thinking

[Jason @ Oct 11th 2007 1:19AM]

haha, looks like my comment on autoblog was heeded after all :)

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-one-ups-the-i-swing-with-the-i-real/comments/8077636/

[Ryhan @ Oct 11th 2007 1:22AM]

Somewhat cool to look at, definitely dorky in real life.
However, it would be fun to mod a regular wheelchair, add a BOE board or something, attach several IR sensors and a GPS module, and then program it to to auto-navigate through your neighborhood! And to think that Toyota PAYS people to do THAT! *Hmpf :D

Regardless, could we please stop with the "i" mocking, no one complains when its the iPaq, iZod or iCal :D

[jroc @ Oct 11th 2007 1:34AM]

I make it my life goal to mock every product with the i-prefix and have done so on many occasions. The i-jacket was preposterous.

[The Donkey @ Oct 11th 2007 2:04AM]

If someone needs something like this, I hope it has a hose to use as a toilet.

[Syd @ Oct 11th 2007 1:33AM]

How can I interface my iPod, and where should I stick my Garmin NUVI?

[Philometalist @ Oct 11th 2007 1:45AM]

Reminds me of X-Men

[Slvrgun @ Oct 11th 2007 2:44AM]

My legs work fine.

[Jim Nichols @ Oct 11th 2007 3:21AM]

There is such a wheelchair, created by the inventor of the Segway, it called the iBot
http://www.ibotnow.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBOT
Too bad it's not covered by Medicare, my wife could use one. They run around $26,000!!

[Rynth @ Oct 11th 2007 5:44AM]

More like the get-real...

[paul.davis @ Oct 11th 2007 2:19PM]

Are they going to make a "Fatty" or a "Wide Load" edition for the people that complain about their weight yet they use this whenever they are not in a car?

Hopefully they only sell this as a perscription.. let the people that need this use it as intended. All you other fat F@#$s go grab a gatorade and start walking... but please.. rub water based lubricant on yourself to prevent forest fires and 3rd degree burns on people that graze you when they walk by.

[Johan S @ Oct 11th 2007 6:52PM]

Umm why didnt the move the two big wheels from the sides to the back of it or something. That way it would be thinner. Thats what they need to do to the segway too (wheels behind or in front instead of sides so it can be thinner.

[Mickey Chapman @ Oct 24th 2007 12:38PM]

Before you guys put this design down as a wheelchair, I suggest you spend a week in a wheelchair. I have spent 43 years in a power wheelchair and I think it is great that Toyota has finally solved the stability problem a three wheeler has by moving the front wheel forward when turning. Until recently, the power wheelchair has remained virtualy unchanged during the last 43 years. I don't think they those designers are aware of the phrase "think outide the box".

[Alex Si @ Oct 25th 2007 6:38AM]

Toyota is probably using this as prototype to develop their sensors for automotive industry.