Tokyo Motor Show 2017: Toyota Introduces AI Concept-i Series

Every edition of the Tokyo Motor Show brings us either something truly bizarre or unique or a combination of both. Keeping up with that tradition, Toyota has put up some hybrid and electric concepts on display, the Artificial Intelligence-powered Concept i series being one of them. The Concept-i series feature three products - Concept i, Concept i Walk and Concept I Ride.

Concept-i Car - Showcased earlier at CES in January, this concept car utilises artificial intelligence to communicate with the driver by “stimulating the five senses”. In simple words, it can read your mood and engage in a two-way conversation, record and tag them with GPS location and upload it to the cloud. This is done to ensure that the car can take control when the driver is stressed or ill.

Along with the Concept-i car, Toyota also showcased EV based two other AI-based products

Concept-i Walk - The Concept-i Walk is Toyota’s version of a Segway designed for the elderly. The Walk only needs the walking space of an average adult to make a complete turn. While at higher speeds, the Walk will space its rear wheels further away from the front wheel to make the ride more stable.  It can vary its length from 19.7 to 27.6 inches. The Walk also features an anti-collision system.  Toyota claims the Walk can travel 10-20km on a single charge.

Concept-i Ride - Just like the Walk, the Concept-i Ride too is designed for the disabled and elderly. The petite car looks straight out of a Jetson episode with its futuristic design. It features gullwing doors for easy access and the electric driver’s seat even slides to the door to make getting into the vehicle from a wheelchair easier. The tiny EV trades in the traditional steering wheel and pedals for hand controls, it has a projected range of 100-150km. Like the Concept-i Walk, the Ride too is controlled by the AI. However, it also lets the driver take full control of the car if need be. For added convenience, the Ride has a loading space for a folded wheelchair, and there’s even a fold-out passenger seat on the left.