Toyota i-REAL previews future of personal mobility

Toyota’s personal mobility concept, the i-Real, is an evolution of the I-Swing that debuted at 2005’s Tokyo Motor Show and the model has certainly not lost any of its older brother’s unique looks. The i-Real does, however, offer up some interesting technologies in an attempt to redeem itself.

The wheelbase on the i-Real is adjustable according to the environmental conditions. If you are in a busy crowded area, both the front and rear wheels move together to raise the height of the user to eye-level and to minimise running over other people’s feet. In open spaces, where you may be traveling quicker, the wheelbase extends out to provide stability and lower the centre of gravity.

The i-Real concept not only gives its potential user a smug satisfaction while the rest of us use our own limbs for moving around, it also emits lights and sounds to alert people that it is around constantly. Toyota has also added a perimeter monitoring system which alerts the user when the i-Real is close to hitting something, or being hit itself, which we suspect would happen a lot.

With each iteration of this concept Toyota moves closer to producing a production alternative to the humble automobile that could well change the way we travel short distances. If anyone can do it, it's Toyota.