@Toyota: Toyota Launches the C+walk S in Japan, a New Form of Walking-Assistance Mobility

Toyota City, Japan, March 20, 2023―Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced today that it will release the C⁺walk _S, a pedestrian-mobility-assistance model that is the second in the new C⁺walk mobility series. The C⁺walk _S will go on sale at Toyota automobile dealers and be offered at rental and leasing stores from March 20, 2023^*1.

In addition, Toyota has also improved the standing-type model C⁺walk _T^*2 as well as the C⁺pod^*3. The C⁺walk _T will go on sale in May^*1 as a model that can operate on sidewalks along public roads in compliance with the revision of the Road Traffic Act that will take effect in April. C⁺pod became available for lease contracts on March 20^*1.

Mobility for All

Against a background of Japan’s aging population, it was reported in a survey that approximately 20% of those aged 75 or older listed 100 m as the distance they could walk without difficulties^*4. It was also reported that the percentage of those aged 75 or older who go out was 10% lower than those under the age of 65, and those without a driver’s license go out approximately 20% even less frequently^*5. Physical ability tends to decline with age, which limits daily activities such as shopping and going out^*6.

Toyota has continued to provide customers with a variety of options to bring “Mobility for All.” It offers mobility options to suit each customer’s stage of life, from the C⁺pod, which can be used easily as local transportation, to the C⁺walk series, which can be used on sidewalks. At the heart of this approach is the creation of a better mobility society centered on people. Toyota intends to expand the spheres of activity of their users, support their independence, and bring joy to as many people as possible.

Toyota is also working with corporations and local governments to research a new business model using the C⁺pod and C⁺walk series to address the needs of local communities together with Toyota dealers. For example, in cooperation with the local government, C⁺walk _S has been used as a means to help residents and tourists move around Hanawa Town Station in Fukushima Prefecture since around April. Toyota will explore the potential of using these mobility vehicles to complement regional transportation in order to achieve a better mobility society.

Click here to view Toyota’s message for spreading new mobility (Japanese Only):
https://toyota.jp/personalmobility/

C⁺walk _S

The C⁺walk _S assists people who can walk on their own but have difficulty walking long distances and for long periods of time. It is a three-wheeled mobility vehicle that can travel on sidewalks^*7 and easily assess the road surface conditions ahead. The C⁺walk _S shares the form of the C⁺walk series, which blends in with its surroundings and the city, and travels at typical human walking speeds^*8. It is designed so that it is comfortable to use in walking areas, facilitating side-by-side travel and communication with fellow pedestrians. The C⁺walk _S is also equipped with obstacle detection safety functions that help avoid collisions with obstacles or pedestrians ahead.

C⁺walk _T, C⁺pod

The C⁺walk _T will undergo a size and maximum speed update in order to comply with requirements for small and slow mobility^*9 that can be operated on sidewalks (public roads). The C⁺pod has also been enhanced through updates to the braking sensation when stepping on the brake pedal in addition to regulatory compliance.

C⁺walk _S Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices

C⁺pod

The C⁺pod is available on a lease agreement. Price plans vary by dealer. Please contact your local dealer or Toyota Rental & Lease Agency.

Reference: Manufacturer’s Suggested Reference Prices

Overview of the C⁺walk _S

1. A form that blends in with pedestrians and walking areas

• The C⁺walk _S is a mobility vehicle that can be used in places where people gather. It shares the slim form of the C⁺walk series to ensure it does not stand out in its surroundings. It is a versatile package, designed with consideration for getting in and out of the vehicle. It features a low and wide step height of 130 mm, a seat position that makes it easy to stand and sit, and flip-up arm supports.
• It has a three-wheeled configuration with one front and two rear wheels, allowing for easy visibility of the road surface in front while driving.
• The steering stem―the part that connects the top of the front fork to the bottom of the steering wheel―joins seamlessly to the resin body, which features a removable battery that can be attached or removed with a single action.
• It has a large storage area under the seat that can conveniently store shopping baskets.^*1
• The base body color is black, but warm gray, gray metallic, and copper mica metallic color panels are also available as dealer options for a more stylish appearance and to suit customer preferences.

2. C⁺walk series’ convenient and simple operation

• Accelerator levers on either side of the C⁺walk series steering wheel can be used to control departure, acceleration, deceleration, and stopping. Simply squeeze the lever to depart, accelerate, and release the lever to come to a stop. This simple operation is intuitive and easy for anyone to use. Brake levers situated on either side of the steering wheel can be used to provide greater deceleration when required. Pressing the reverse button, which is independent from other controls, enables the vehicle to reverse.
• The status display panel allows battery levels and speeds to be checked at a glance.
• The vehicle operating system is activated by holding a special-purpose key^*3 over the recognition area, after switching the battery on.
• The lightweight (2.5 kg) removable lithium-ion battery can be fully charged in approximately 2.5 hours^*4 using the included AC 100 V charging device. It is easy to take home and charge the battery as if it were a cell phone.

3. Riding performance designed to be in harmony with nearby pedestrians

• The C⁺walk _S uses in-wheel motors: brushless DC motors are located in each rear wheel, allowing it to travel over bumps and on slopes with ease^*5.
• It travels at a maximum speed of 6 km/h, which is within the range of typical human walking speeds, and is capable of approximately 12 km^*6 of continuous riding range on a single full battery charge.
• It features a minimum turning radius of 0.95 m, allowing for smooth maneuvering on narrow roads.

4. Safety and Security Functions

• The C⁺walk _S is equipped with obstacle detection functions that help avoid collisions with obstacles or pedestrians ahead^*7. When the periphery detection sensor at the front of the vehicle detects a person or obstacle, the operating system issues both a visual alert on the display panel and an audio alert, and automatically decelerates the vehicle to approximately 2 km/h^*8. This allows for more time to maneuver the steering wheel and avoid obstacles, thus providing support for safe riding^*9.
• Turning speed control and steep slope detection functions come standard. The turning speed control function detects the angle when steering the vehicle around curves and provides deceleration support depending on the angle. The steep slope detection function alerts the driver when entering a steep slope and provides deceleration support on steep downhills, thereby providing users with peace of mind.
• A convenient hand-push mode is available for short trips. This mode releases the electromagnetic brakes on the rear wheels so the vehicle can be pushed by hand^*10.
• The vehicle is fitted entirely with 10-inch puncture-proof tires that eliminate worries about puncturing.

Main specifications of the C⁺walk _S

SDGs goals that this project makes particular contribution to