Toyota Debuts Concept-i Series of Electric 'Mobility Solutions'

While we enjoy a concept car that isn’t set so far into the hypothetical future that it’s almost impossible to imagine the world in which it could exist, it’s also fun to see less-than-realistic designs emerge in a vehicle that is pure science fiction. Pursuing the latter mindset, Toyota has decided to expand upon the original Concept-i car with an entire series of “mobility vehicles” — each intended to help deliver a tomorrow where you are no longer required to walk.

Now part of a full lineup of experimental vehicles, Toyota views the Concept i-Ride and Concept i-Walk as supplementary modes of transportation for last January’s original four-seat concept. That vehicle debuted as more of a robotic friend than an traditional automobile. Toyota even went so far as to propose an artificial intelligence system that allowed the i-car to build a relationship with the driver that “feels meaningful and human.”

The smaller units lack the Concept-i’s personality but are absolutely in step with its unapologetically futuristic styling. The theory, as Toyota sees it, is to save the four-seater’s superior 300-km range for family outings and long-range commuting. During the trip, the vehicle suggests new routes, places to stop, and constantly monitors your nonverbal cues so that it can anticipate how best to serve you (be it by using predictive reasoning to prevent a crash or facial recognition to know when it’s time to create a more relaxing environment in the cabin).

Meanwhile, drivers can use their svelte i-Ride two-seater for quicker trips into the city — either as the vehicle’s primary owner or someone renting it by the hour. Essentially a half-scale version of the i-Concept, the i-Ride’s 100-150 km range is intended for lighter duty and urban commutes. While it shares much of its design with the larger model, Toyota sees it as filling an entirely different role — and even attempting to make it handicap accessible by replacing the steering wheel and pedals with twin joysticks. It also has autonomous capabilities that allow for easy parking and low-speed maneuvers requiring precision. There’s even a compartment in the back for a wheelchair or, if you prefer, Toyota i-Walk.

However, the i-Walk is the most difficult portion of the trio to make a genuine case for. It’s reminiscent of Ford’s Carr-E, which was a 25-pound mobility disk intended to take you and your personal belongings on the last leg of a journey. While a fun concept, the practical applications for Carr-E seemed comically limited. It’s too heavy to hoist in and out of your car on a regular basis and its standing design required occupants to remain upright as it cruised slowly along the pavement.

By comparison, the i-Walk appears to be about as useful as a Segway and serves a very similar function. Designed with some amount of ergonomics in mind, Toyota claims the electrified trike can be used by anyone wanting to enjoy a 10-20 km walking tour without straining their legs.

It’s highly reminiscent of Toyota’s i-Real motorized wheelchair, albeit pared down substantially. Toyota planned to place the i-Real on sale in 2010 but nothing ever came of it, which was unfortunate considering how much promise it held for those without the ability to walk. We expect a similar fate for the rest of the Concept-i Series.

They’re certainly interesting ideas but the i-Walk doesn’t offer anything new, the i-Ride is too small to ever enter into production, and the i-Concept promises features no automaker could possibly deliver on. That said, it is nice to see Toyota experimenting and playing outside the box. Even if we don’t see these vehicles outside of automotive exhibitions, maybe the automaker can find a way to roll the key attributes into more practical production models someday.

Still, if you want to enjoy the future fantasy now, the trio will be on display at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show starting October 25th.

[Images: Toyota Motor Corp.]