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Winglet : Toyota Announces the Development of the Winglet, a Personal Transport Assistant

Posted on 2008-08-01 02:26:00  |  by: kei  |  Comments 19 Comments
Category:  MISC   |  Tags: TOYOTA, WINGLET, PERSONAL TRANSPORT ASSISTANT, ROBOT

Toyota Announces the Development of the Winglet, a Personal Transport Assistant



Lately many manufacturers are developing transport/walking assistant devices in order to help people get around more safely and freely. This time it's Toyota turns to propose a personal transport assistant. Today they announced the development of the Winglet, a personal transport assistant robot ridden in a standing position.

It's equipped with two wheels and an internal sensor that constantly monitors the user’s position, and makes power adjustments to ensure stability.



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.

Related Links:
Toyota

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Posted on Fri Aug 01, 12:54 by Me_you
Home Page:
Wow 6km/h ?! A dawdle is faster than that



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Posted on Sat Aug 02, 12:14 by sweetweb, Co-Founder of ratemyideas, Vancouver
Home Page: http://www.ratemyideas.com
The Japanese are gonna kill Segways like they did with American cars. If you think so vote here: http://www.ratemyideas.com/story.php?title=Toyota_Winglet_The_Segway_Killer



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Posted on Sat Aug 02, 08:12 by 12345, Comment guy
Home Page:
segways are a rip off, if toyota can offer a cheaper alternative then count me in.



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Posted on Sun Aug 03, 07:53 by Grateful11, Machinist, USA
Home Page:
If American car makers don't want to build what Americans want let'em choke on their crap vehicles.



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Posted on Mon Aug 04, 04:07 by Steven, Student/Podcaster, San Francisco, CA
Home Page: http://www.asiandramapodcast.com
I wonder how the one without handles could possibly work; It looks a little scary to use. The ones with handles seem better...



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Posted on Mon Aug 04, 05:18 by Kamers, CEO, Amsterdam
Home Page: http://www.stunda.nl
Lexus Winglet...how cool!



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Posted on Mon Aug 04, 10:09 by DonnyD, Engineer, Canada
Home Page:
For the comment about no handles on the smaller units, I believe the dual bar assembly that reaches upwards to below the knees are cupped and stabilized with your legs.



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Posted on Tue Aug 05, 09:40 by jagger
Home Page:
How much and when available Please?



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Posted on Sun Sep 07, 11:17 by shilton, student, india
Home Page:
i just wanted take a seminar on your latest development . where can i get materials for it so as to take a mechanical related seminar.
if u dont mind contact me.



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Posted on Mon Oct 06, 09:11 by batteries, IT, shang hai
Home Page: http://www.batterylaptoppower.com
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.



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Posted on Sun Oct 12, 11:02 by cyberstanman, IT student, CA, USA
Home Page: http://free-credit-reports-annual.com
anything giving segway some competition is a good thing. about time something more innovative is available.



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Posted on Sat Oct 25, 10:34 by QGang, Worker, London
Home Page: http://www.freelights.co.uk/car.html
A car can run on two wheels with a centre of gravity movement system

This new concept car has a computerized centre of gravity movement system. It can keep centre of gravity of the car on two middle wheels and keep the car parallel to the ground in all time.

Because only two wheels touch the ground, the car use less energy, quieter and faster compare with normal 4 wheels car. Also the car can be turned 180 degrees at same place.

More details on www.freelights.co.uk/car.html

Regards
Mr Q Gang
London, UK



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Posted on Thu Mar 12, 01:22 by Kay, developer slipper shop, rotterdam
Home Page: http://slipper-shop.nl
Awsome widget. i want one to. to bad its not legal in the netherlands!



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Posted on Thu Jul 09, 04:26 by thr, rth, rthth
Home Page: http://rthrth.com
Where can i but this :D



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Home Page: http://www.aboutbuys.com
AboutBuys.com - Wholesales,Wholesale Laptop Accessories,Laptop Battery,Laptop AC Adapter,Laptop Keyboard,LCD Panel.



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