Toyota i-Road electric 3-Wheeler

The i-Road uses a remarkable turning steering mechanism that not only made me feel like a pro MotoGP rider, but also seemed very safe, as it counteracted the inertial forces that would have pulled this electric 3-wheeler over on its side. Toyota designer Koji Fujita told me that the i-Road uses a gyroscope and inertial sensors, combined with data on speed and steering angle, to determine how far to lean the i-Road.

The steering is actually done through the single rear wheel. At low speeds the i-Road felt exceptionally nimble, like a shopping cart on well-oiled wheels, as the back-end slid out in response to my steering input.
The arrangement gives the i-Road a very tight turning radius, which Toyota's spec sheet notes as 3 meters (9.8 feet). At speed, though, the turning radius became wider due to the stability mechanisms. Although steering the i-Road seems pretty idiot-proof, Toyota fitted it with technology to mitigate my enthusiastic behavior. With the accelerator floored, it limited how sharply I could turn, and vibrated the steering wheel to tell me I was at the i-Road's limits.

   

Where the rear wheel steers, the front wheels are powered, each using an electric motor of about 2 kilowatts. The range and speed figures show that the i-Road isn't intended for cross-country trips, instead set for short commutes or errands. It's top speed of 37 mph (60 kph) classifies it as a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV), as does its 30-mile range. Toyota would not give me the capacity of the i-Road's lithium-ion electric battery pack, but a spokesperson said that it takes about 3 hours to charge from a standard household outlet.

Watching that top video, the i-Roads remind me of Olympic speed skaters. There's something so slick and efficient about them. (The choreographed visualization surely contributes to that image as well.) Being so small and electric, this is more efficient than probably any other car on the road, including the limited-production VW XL1. Used in car sharing services, it will also encourage people to drop the idea that they have to own a vehicle.

Apparently, the i-Road doesn't just look cool, but also offers an enjoyable driving experience. In the second video above, some of the early testers in Japan emphasize that it's a lot of fun to drive, it dashes off the line quickly, "the way it leans in is a lot of fun," it offers a very different feeling from a normal car, "you really feel in control of the driving experience," and "you really feel like you're at one with the vehicle." (OK, I think we're getting a little too personal now, buddy.)

The smart city program in France, explained in the third video, looks pretty nifty too. It's actually a Toyota system and the video doesn't mention France, but my understanding is that's what will be trialled in Grenoble. The system, Ha:mo, will allow you to see and avoid traffic congestion via a smartphone app, will notify the bus service if a line is very busy so that another bus can come along and ease up the passenger congestion, and will allow you to reserve an i-Road (aka Ha:mo Ride) via the app and also zap it (at least that's what it looks like) to get it to back up and let you in. It's a little utopian, and almost humorously cheesy, the way it is presented, but it looks like it could be a very useful system for improving transportation efficiency and the human experience in cities. We'll see.