The Toyota i-Unit expands human ability

The Toyota i-Unit is a new concept design that is made to increase personal mobility. The i-Unit hopes to meet the user’s wishes by producing a better balance between the human body and the society and nature around it.

The design is inspired after a leaf, with the thought in mind of how leaves create sunlight into energy. The i-Unit “seeks to express the power of the unknown, the logic of living things and the simple beauty of waste-free functionality.” Much more after the jump.

Main Features

• Mobility with an Ultra Compact Size
  The �i-unit� creates a seamless transformation between vehicle and human movement, minimizing occupied space and energy consumption with its lightweight and ultra compact size.
• Variable Positioning
  The i-unit has a compact size enabling the passenger to move among other people in an upright position in low speed mode, and a low center of gravity that ensures stable handling when the vehicles reclines in high speed mode.
• Ease of Operation
  • Drive Controller
    Drive-by-wire technology and intuitive handling enable the passenger to maneuver on-the-spot turns and drive at high speed at will.
  • IT Controller
    A driver support information system uses sound, light and vibration to facilitate interactive communication.
• Driver Support System
  The driver support system features Intelligent Transport System (ITS) technology, which Toyota hopes to utilize for an accident-free society. The system permits efficient and safe autopilot driving in specially equipped lanes.
• �My-unit�
  A personalized recognition system can provide information and music, and body color can be customized, according to the individual�s preferences and emotions.
• Environmentally Friendly Body Materials
  The body is built using environmentally friendly plant-based materials such as kenaf.