|
Price |
|
-- |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
-- |
Weight |
22 &
27 lbs |
|
Aspiration |
-- |
Torque |
-- |
|
HP |
-- |
HP/Weight |
-- |
|
HP/Liter |
-- |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
-- |
Top Speed |
3.7
mph |
(from Toyota Press
Release) Toyota Develops Personal Transport Assistance Robot
‘Winglet’
Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR
CORPORATION (TMC) announced today development of the “Winglet”, a
personal transport assistance robot ridden in a standing position.
The Winglet—still being
refined—is one of TMC’s people-assisting Toyota Partner Robots.
Designed to contribute to society by helping people enjoy a safe and
fully mobile life, the Winglet is a compact next-generation everyday
transport tool that offers advanced ease of use and expands the
user’s range of mobility.
The Winglet consists of
a body (with a projected area the size of an A3 sheet of paper) that
houses an electric motor, two wheels and internal sensors that
constantly monitor the user’s position and make adjustments in power
to ensure stability. Meanwhile, a unique parallel link mechanism
allows the rider to go forward, backward and turn simply by shifting
body weight, making the vehicle safe and useful even in tight spaces
or crowded environments.
TMC has created three
models, the “L”, “M” and “S”, each having different handling
features that allow consumers to select a model appropriate to their
needs—from “practical” to “hands-free sporty”.
TMC plans various
technical and consumer trials to gain feedback during the Winglet’s
lead-up to practical use. Practical tests of its utility as a
mobility tool are planned to begin in Autumn 2008 at Central Japan
International Airport (Centrair) near Nagoya, and Laguna Gamagori, a
seaside marine resort complex in Aichi Prefecture. Testing of its
usefulness in crowded and other conditions, and how non-users react
to the device, is to be carried out in 2009 at the Tressa Yokohama
shopping complex in Yokohama City.
TMC is pursuing
sustainability in research and development, manufacturing and social
contribution as part of its concept to realize “sustainability in
three areas” and to help contribute to the health and comfort of
future society. Toyota Partner Robot development is being carried
out with this in mind and applies TMC's approach to monozukuri
(“making things”), which includes its mobility, production and other
technologies. In a related development, TMC unveiled the “MOBIRO”
mobility robot, designed for use in a sitting position, in 2007.
TMC aims to realize the
practical use of Toyota Partner Robots in the early 2010s by
furthering its robotic development and strengthening collaboration
between industry, government and academia.
