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Toyota Motor Corp has released the C+walk S, a pedestrian-mobility-assistance model that is the second in the new C+walk mobility series. The C+walk S is available at rental and leasing stores.
In addition, Toyota has also improved the standing-type model C+walk T as well as the C+pod. The C+walk T will go on sale in May as a model that can operate on sidewalks along public roads in compliance with the revision of the Road Traffic Act that will take effect in April. C+pod became available for lease contracts on March 20.
Mobility for All
Against a background of Japan's aging population, it was reported in a survey that approximately 20% of those aged 75 or older listed 100 m as the distance they could walk without difficulties. It was also reported that the percentage of those aged 75 or older who go out was 10% lower than those under the age of 65, and those without a driver's license go out approximately 20% even less frequently. Physical ability tends to decline with age, which limits daily activities such as shopping and going out.
Toyota has continued to provide customers with a variety of options to bring "Mobility for All." It offers mobility options to suit each customer's stage of life, from the C+pod, which can be used easily as local transportation, to the C+walk series, which can be used on sidewalks. At the heart of this approach is the creation of a better mobility society centered on people. Toyota intends to expand the spheres of activity of their users, support their independence, and bring joy to as many people as possible.
Toyota is also working with corporations and local governments to research a new business model using the C+pod and C+walk series to address the needs of local communities together with Toyota dealers. For example, in cooperation with the local government, C+walk S has been used as a means to help residents and tourists move around Hanawa Town Station in Fukushima Prefecture since around April. Toyota will explore the potential of using these mobility vehicles to complement regional transportation in order to achieve a better mobility society.
© JCN Newswire
7 Comments
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Yohan
The problems with mobility scooters is the same as with all electric vehicles. Where to charge them if you are living in a condominium building? You cannot bring them up to your condo-unit, they are too large, and there are no electric outlets outside of the building you are allowed to use overnight.
A mobility scooter has already rather heavy batteries and you cannot always disconnect them and carry them up to your home, to charge them and after to bring them down again and to connect them with the mobility scooter. That's really a problem for elderly people - you can only buy one if you own your house with a parking space for these very useful electric vehicles. They help elderly people a lot, but they are also unfortunately not cheap at all.
kohakuebisu
That's what essentially many of us have to look forward to. This is in Japan too, the country with the world's longest active life expectancy. If you don't spend your life eating mostly rice, miso soup, and pickles, the likelihood will only increase.
Mobility is obviously huge for the elderly and the more choices and solutions, the better.
GBR48
There are so many mobility scooter users where I live. Some of them go quite fast, and being electric, they make no noise. They can do you a nasty injury if they clip you. UK ones commonly have rain cover options.
Clay
Have an old guy in my building, who just died, but he enjoyed his electric 'cart' for several years, had an incredible happiness at keeping his mobility/freedom, could stand but the knees were shot, rugby warrior back in the day, old school samurai wananbe type but really just a good old happy guy, probably lousy at rugby but who cares!
piskian
But can I pull a wheelie on it?
Clay
We'll can they at least make it an EV?!?!?
They sure blew with their equity stake in Tesla they sold off some 13 years ago...then spent countless billions$ trying to convince the world in hydrogen fuel cell tech.
Seems nobody's interested in such expensive dangerous proprietary tech. and the world rather likes the 'open' nature of battery innovation, the ability to utilize existing energy infrastructure etc.
Likely WORST strategic decision making by any Corp. this century and the MOST expensive!
Let's hope they find their way, this is going to be a HUGE market, actuaries peg MEDIAN age of Japan at 75 by the end of century, or roughly 50% greater than now, that's graying fast but Corona isn't helping matters, deaths expected to increase approx. 25% THIS YEAR vs. 2022!