Presentation of advanced mobile solutions for Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Toyota Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motors urged to support athlete mobility at the Olympic and Paralympic Games of Tokyo 2020
- A short time ago the company announced that it will supply up to 20 custom-designed e-Palette “Tokyo 2020 Version” vehicles to support athlete mobility at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games -2020, where it will provide automatic line transport in Olympic and Paralympic villages for athletes and their attendant staff.
- As you know, Toyota President Akio Toyoda does not peach to the winds.Over the years, he has stated the need for cars for the mobility of athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. And this is noteworthy because the electronic version of Toyota “Tokyo 2020 Version”, specially designed to provide automatic mobility for athletes and athletes with disabilities, will be presented from October 24 to November 4 at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019
Takahiro Muta, the development leader for the unique version of the “Tokyo 2020 Version” e-Palette said that the Olympic and Paralympic athletes worked tirelessly to achieve the impossible and his department wanted to provide them with a vehicle specifically designed and calibrated to fit their mobility needs during Tokyo 2020. And athletes, especially Paralympians, helped them to better understand how to adapt and to upgrade the e-Palette to better meet the need for simple and comfortable mobility.
e-Palette is Toyota’s first vehicle is developed specifically for autonomous mobility as a service (“Autono-MaaS*1“) applications. It reflects Toyota’s ongoing transition to a mobility company and combines electrification, connected networks, and advanced driving technologies to support new shared mobility businesses and business models.
In order to allow groups of athletes, including Paralympians, to board quickly and easily the e-Palette “Tokyo 2020 Version” has been adapted to meet the unique needs of the Olympic and Paralympic villages, featuring large doors and electric ramps. The vehicle will be controlled by an automated driving system capable of operating up to 20 kilometers per hour at SAE level*2 4, supported by an on-board safety operator.
Deploying the e-Palette to support athlete and staff mobility is a key element of Toyota’s program to provide advanced mobility solutions for Tokyo 2020 as the first worldwide mobility partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In addition, Toyota plans to leverage the knowledge gained from operating e-Palette at Tokyo 2020 to continue developing the vehicle to support future Mobility-as-a-Service applications. The e-Palette will be revealed and exhibited at Toyota’s booth during the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show*3 held in Japan from October 23 to November 4.
Overview of the e-Palette “Tokyo 2020 Version”
Designed for comfortable mobility
- Designed with front/rear symmetry, a distinctive cube shape, and wheels at the four corners, the vehicle offers expansive and comfortable interior space.
- Reflecting Toyota’s commitment to providing “Mobility for All,” it includes handrails and seats that are easy to use regardless of height; the vehicle also features floor, trim, seats, and other components with color contrasts that assist people with color-blindness.
Enabling quick and easy entry/exit for passengers
- The e-Palette is equipped with large sliding doors, low floors, electric ramps, and an Arrival Control*4 system for use when approaching destinations to enable passengers, including those in wheelchairs, to enter and exit quickly and easily.
- With its long wheelbase and flat floor, the vehicle can transport up to four passengers in wheelchairs along with additional standing passengers at one time.
Low-speed automated driving with a focus on safety
- The e-Palette is equipped with a specially-designed automated driving system that includes control hardware, software, and advanced sensors such as cameras and LiDAR. Combined with high-accuracy 3D mapping and an operation management system, e-Palette will realize low-speed automated driving at SAE level 4.
- To support safe operation, the e-Palette features an external human-machine interface designed to assist communication with those around the vehicle, including pedestrians, during automated driving. Both front and rear lamps on vehicle mimic eye contact to inform pedestrians of vehicle actions.
- The automated driving system constantly monitors for obstacles across a full 360-degree field of vision around the vehicle and operates at a speed appropriate and in accordance with the surrounding environment. As a preventative measure, an on-board safety operator will also monitor the vehicle’s movement and be prepared to take control if necessary.
The article is based on materials taken from Tokyo -press, Japan
and prepared and translated into three languages by Laura Anuar,
Dulat Issabayev,
Toyota project manager, Kazakhstan