Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Toyota launches a three-wheeled stand-up e-scoot for walking areas

Toyota has announced the release of the C+walk T, a standing-type model in the new C+walk walking-area mobility series.

The Japanese automaker’s three-wheeled stand-up electric mobility scooter comes with a low, flat base of 5.9 in (150 mm) and a compact design that makes it suitable for use in walking areas, facilitating side-by-side travel and communication with fellow pedestrians. It measures 700 mm (27.5 inches) in length, 450 mm (17.7 inches) in width, 1,210 mm (47.6 inches) in height, and it weighs almost 29 kg. It is designed to support rider weights up to 100 kg, its resin body comes in a two-tone finish, and each of the three wheels is wrapped in puncture-proof tires.

Startup key recognition area.
Startup key recognition area. Credit: Toyota

The C+walk T uses in-wheel motors – a 0.25-kW brushless DC motor is located in the front wheel, enabling smooth acceleration, deceleration, and turning. It can travel at maximum speeds of up to 10 km/h (6.2 mph), though it’s primarily designed for rolling through facilities at lower speeds. The vehicle is capable of traveling approximately 14 km (8.6 miles) on a single lithium-ion battery charge, which is removable and needs some two hours to recharge from zero to full.

The electric scooter is equipped with obstacle detection functions that help avoid collisions with obstacles or pedestrians ahead. The system offers both a visual alert on the display panel and an audio alert and decelerates the vehicle to approximately 2 km/h (1.2 mph) to help prevent collisions with other users, obstacles, and pedestrians.

The e-scoot can be used in warehouses.
The e-scoot can be used in warehouses. Credit: Toyota

You’ve got acceleration levers on either side of the C+walk T steering wheel, the brake levers, the reverse button that enables the vehicle to reverse, and a status display panel for seeing your speed, battery level, etc.

In terms of potential corporate usage scenarios, the C+walk T can be used to travel across large-scale facilities or to ease the burden of walking on elderly users engaged in security work and can also be used on activity tours that take place inside parks and other facilities. In addition, with growing numbers of amendments being made to applicable laws and regulations, the C+walk T can also be expected to be cleared for use on public roads in the future.

Toyota automobile dealers in Japan start selling and leasing the C+walk T in Japan at a starting price of ¥341,000 (just under $3,100). There’s no word on whether the C+walkT will see a commercial release outside of Japan at this point.