Toyota rises to Olympic AV mobility challenge

First published at ITS World Congress - October 22, 2019

Akio (Ace) Yamamoto (left) and Keiji Yamamoto of Toyota

With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics fast approaching, Toyota is adapting 20 of its e-Palette autonomous shuttles to move contestants around the athletes’ village.

Adoption of the automated electric vehicles has been based in part on feedback from athletes from past games about their mobility needs.

The 5.2m long e-Palette shuttles feature large doors, a low floor and electric ramps to allow up to 20 Olympians or four wheelchair Paralympians (plus additional standing passengers), to board quickly and easily.

The SAE level 4 vehicle is capable of operating at up to 20kmh and will be supported by an on-board safety operator.

Deploying the e-Palette for athlete and staff mobility is a key element of Toyota’s program to provide advanced mobility solutions for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics; the knowledge gained will be fed back into developing the vehicle to support future MaasS applications.

Designed with front/rear symmetry, wheels at the corners and a cube shape, Toyota’s e-Palette provides an expansive interior space.

In line with the company’s “Mobility for All” commitment, it is fitted with handrails and seats that are easy to use regardless of height, while the floor, trim, seats and other components have contrasting colours that assist people with colour-blindness.

The shuttle is the first developed specifically by the company for autonomous mobility as a service (“Autono-MaaS”) applications, reflecting Toyota’s transition to a mobility company combining electrification, connectivity and advanced driving technologies to support new shared mobility business models.

In common with the athletes they will carry, what will happen to the shuttles once the Olympics are over will be decided after the closing ceremony.

Booth 234