Tokyo’s Japan Mobility Show is always a top draw – people just can’t get enough of the latest and greatest on wheels – and this years event, running through to November the 9th, did not disappoint. Toyota’s stand absolutely packed the hall with some pretty wild stuff – from spider-legged delivery bots to enormous family vans – but one wee little creation really caught the eye of parents and pint-sized visitors alike. They named it the Kids Mobi and on the face of it, it’s a pretty straightforward electric pod designed to take the kiddos on their own, no grown-ups required – but its a whole lot more than that.
It’s low to the ground and rounded, with wheels neatly stowed away inside its bouncy bubble-shaped shell. It’s built of lightweight plastic or composite materials and has a nice soft touch available in a variety of interesting hues. A pair of LED lights up front give you a clear notion of the machine’s mood – which, to be honest, is very adorable. On the roof, there are sensors that double as ears – and somehow, they just seem to blend in with the rest of the design without looking all clunky or hi-tech. Pop open the door (which is actually a really neat bit of engineering – it just swings up by itself) and you’ll find a single seat inside – all cozied up in some lovely comfy fabric . The machine has loads of room for wriggly legs – and that’d be about right for a kid around 4’3″ or so.
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Once you’re all buckled in and the door is shut, the real fun begins. Toyota’s AI system, called UX Friend, kicks in pretty quick. It’s all very calm and gentle, with a soothing voice that says things like ‘left turn towards the park’ or ‘whoa, hold on a minute at the corner’ – all while taking care of the actual driving. There’s cameras and sensors all around the pod, making sure you’re not going to run into anything or anyone – so its all smooth sailing. But its not all about telling you what to do – UX Friend is actually pretty chatty. It’ll ask you about the route and see where you want to go, or maybe even tell you a story to pass the time. Its all designed to be super easy-going – so even the most nervous of kids can relax and just enjoy the ride.
According to Toyota, the Kids Mobi is more than simply a new device; it allows children to enjoy the same freedoms that adults do. This means that mothers and fathers may stand on the pavement and watch their children safely ride the pod. This is a big thing, and Toyota is leveraging all of their AI and robotics research and development to get here. Of course, this is only the beginning; they are still working on getting it used in real life, such as school runs and playdates. However, for the time being, it is only a prototype, awaiting feedback from users. So far, it’s getting a response…
