One of the new concepts showcased as part of
Toyota’s “Concept-i Series” at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show is a small mobility
vehicle called the Concept-i RIDE. Interestingly, the ergonomics of this
concept is designed with wheelchair users and elderly in mind.
The Toyota Concept-i Ride features gull-wing doors
and an electric seat that slides to the entrance, so wheelchair users can
easily transition between the wheelchair and the car. Also, the operation of
the seat has been designed so that the wheelchair can be stored behind the
driver’s seat. The driver’s seat is positioned at the center, while a second
occupant sits at the back; similar to a Renault Twizy. For parking purposes,
the concept has autonomous parking and valet features, so that the driver
doesn’t have to break a sweat looking for a spot.
Toyota has stripped the steering wheel, accelerator
and brake pedals in favour of two joysticks mounted on either side of the
armrests. The AI Agent runs on the large-size display of the instrument panel.
The Japanese manufacturer hasn’t provided any
technical details about the Toyota Concept i-RIDE’s electric motor, but it’s
claimed to offer 100-150 km of driving range, which is acceptable for a car of
its size and purpose. It is 2,500 mm long, 1,300 mm wide and 1,500 mm high, and
has a wheelbase of 1,800 mm.
