Toyota introduced yesterday Winglet, a Segway-inspired personal mode of transportation, the virtual car of the future. It has a 10.4 x 18-inch footprint and stands 1.5-, 2.2-, or 3.7-feet tall (depending upon the model) and features an electric motor capable of a max 5km/h cruising speed for up to 10km a jaunt.
Winglet, still in development stage is “driven” by shifting weight to make it move forward and back and to make tight turns. Toyota will begin consumer testing at the Central Japan International Airport this Fall with further testing in more crowded environments in 2009. We still have to wait few more years for this virtual car of the future, however, since production will hit stride in 2010.
Meanwhile, Toyota should start lobbying for the legalization of its sidewalk use, if they want this virtual car to be successful in the future.
Tags: car of the future, segway, toyota, Virtual, Virtual Car, winglet
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