Thursday, Aug 15, 2013
Dubai: Toyota has announced public sidewalk demonstration trials of the “Winglet”, a personal transport assistance robot developed by the company, in Japan’s Tsukuba City, to assess its safety and practicality for moving among pedestrians. It will be used by 80 local authority workers and employees of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in a part of the city that has been hosting mobility robot test programmes since 2011. The trials will continue until the end of March 2016, with the emphasis in the first year being on safety and from 2014 onwards on functionality, convenience and prospective public demand.
Toyota first presented the Winglet in 2008. It is a compact, lightweight two-wheeled machine that is ridden in a standing position and maneuvered using a long, vertical T-bar handle. The handle is adjustable, so people of all heights can use the machine. It is powered by a lithium-ion battery and has a range of about six miles (10km) on a full charge with a top speed of around 3.5mph (6km/h), and battery charging takes an hour. Performance is emissions-free, so the Winglet is also suitable for use in some indoor environments such as airports or office complexes.
Toyota has developed several world-class vehicles that have been appreciated and well-received globally, making it the preferred brand of choice among customers. It has further enhanced its leadership position in the transportation sector with its advancements in personal transportation through the development of people-assisting Toyota Partner Robots. In line with its commitment to environmental sustainability, Toyota introduced the Winglet to support public mobility and invigorate local communities while also improving the environment.
Staff Report
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