Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show late last year, the Pod concept vehicle is collaboration between Toyota and Sony that takes the relationship between car and driver to a new level. The Pod is able to provide this feedback through a series of sensors that detect and store data on the driver’s preferences. This extends well beyond musical taste, with sensors detecting variations in driving conditions, appropriate use of steering wheel, accelerator and brakes, the pulse and the perspiration level of the driver – the Pod even employs a face recognition sensor to detect if the driver is falling asleep. For example the mini pod picked up on a the name of a band whilst you were at home and this name is subsequently mentioned during conversation in the car, the Pod will immediately begin surfing the Internet to download and play their songs.

The ’smart’ capabilities of the Pod also extend beyond the realm of entertainment – the driving data collected by the car can be compared with pre-recorded ‘expert’ data and the driver given warnings or encouragement through text on the Pod’s monitor. The car also features a hands only ‘drive-by-wire’ control system enabling steering, braking and acceleration to be operated through a single controller.

The colour changing LED panels on the front that make up the Pod’s smiling face turn yellow with happiness as the driver approaches – we’re not sure exactly what you have to do to make it wag its tail – and orange during normal operation when all systems are running smoothly. Two more colours also appear – blue for sadness when the fuel runs out or the Pod is ‘neglected’ by a long period of misuse, and red for anger when braking heavily or driving aggressively. And if the Pod is happy and it senses that its occupants are happy it will capture the moment by taking your photograph.

Although still at concept stage, the prototype of the Pod can be driven and is technically ready for practical use – the drawback is that its operation is dependent on communications infrastructure such as the radio DSRC (dedicated short range communication) system, so your chances of replacing Rover with a four-wheeled pet in the not too distant future will come down to where you live.

toyota pod

toyota pod side

toyota pod inside

toyota pod panel

It has a hybrid powertrain. It’s shorter than a Toyota RAV4. And it’s able to leap into the high-occupancy vehicle lane in a single bound! That’s right: It’s the Toyota A-BAT concept. This is Toyota’s first glimpse at retaking the compact pickup segment, a niche almost no one plays in these days. However, with a hybrid powerplant, perhaps Toyota sees this body style as one that will draw in status seekers much like the Prius did the past few years.
The A-Bat has a small four-foot long truck bed that can expand to six-feet with the midgate lowered and eight-feet with both the midgate and tailgate lowered. A sliding drawer underneath the bed can be accessed even with the tailgate up. You’ll have to see the photo of that one. There are also solar panels on top of the dash turning it into an energy generator instead of a place to melt sunglasses.

toyota a-bat

toyota a bat

toyota bat

The name, one tenth, refers to the cars weight which is supposed to be about one tenth the weight of its rivals (though it’s rivals would have to weight four tonnes for this to be factual).

In keeping with its tradition of highlighting new automotive possibilities the 1/X is a concept vehicle that redefines from its very roots the idea of what it means to be environmentally considerate. Toyota claims that among its attributes, the concept car aims to harmoniously coexist with people and society.

I simply love covering the concept car section. The beauties that the stalwarts dish out are simply amazing, the Prius for example. The new kid on the block is the 1/X plug-in hybrid concept from Toyota. This light-weight beauty is almost a third the weight of most concept cars thus saving energy and using half the juice of the Prius. The car maintains a slim form thanks to Bio-plastics; the frame is made of a polymer using renewable plants and reinforced with carbon fiber. Even its see-through roof is made of hard, light and exotic man-made materials. The cool bank of LED headlights across the front look really hep.

toyota 1 x

toyota concept

toyota hybrid

The i-REAL is yet another personal mobility contraption that could be the wheelchair of the future. The iPod-like styling means it looks cooler than the Segway Personal Transporter, an existing mobility vehicle, which also requires standing. And the i-REAL’s body provides wrap-around protection of a user’s arms and legs, which a traditional wheelchair lacks. This protection could come in handy at its impressive top speed of 18.6 mph. It uses three wheels, two at the front, one at the back, and has a low-speed mode that shortens the wheelbase to allow maneuvering among pedestrians. In high-speed mode, the wheelbase lengthens, providing a lower center of gravity for better driving performance and maximum driver comfort in a reclined position. The i-REAL also uses perimeter monitoring sensors to detect when a collision is imminent, alerting the driver by emitting a noise and vibrating, while at the same time, alerting people around it through what Toyota calls a “pleasant use” of light and sound

toyota-i-real-concept

toyota-i-real_concept

toyota-i-real

toyota-i-real_concept

The Toyota RiN resembles a spa on wheels. The automaker says the RiN is focused on promoting well-being and serene, healthy living. While in the boxy, window-laden four-seater, Toyota says that “Drivers are encouraged to reevaluate themselves and furthermore, to turn their attention to society and nature, producing a healthy rhythm for both mind and body.” The RiN’s seats help maintain good posture; green glass reduces infiltration of ultraviolet and infrared light and makes the surroundings seem brighter and clearer. A meter on the steering wheel gauges mood, displaying colors to reflect a driver’s emotional state. The sliding doors are also windows that reach down almost to the car’s underside. The interior features heated seats, an oxygen-level conditioner and humidifier. Headlights automatically dim to avoid blinding pedestrians and other drivers. Deep green is contrasted with beige inside to enrich “the complexions of those onboard and evoke a healthy mental and physical feeling.” Taking its design motif from the deep-rooted, tall-growing Yakusugi tree, a variety of Japanese cypress, Toyota says the RiN aims to express “harmony with nature and healthy mind and body.”

toyota-rin-concept

top side toyota rin

side toyota rin

interior toyota rin

We’re not sure what the Hi-CT wants to be, but it looks like the front of a train was chopped off and placed on four tiny rubber wheels. All aboard! Whatever it is, this plug-in hybrid concept can be charged from an external power source, and by placing the battery under the floor, Toyota says the Hi-CT “achieves a highly efficient cabin with a higher driver position.” The automaker also says that the Hi-CT “aims to offer a new sense of ‘coolness.’” And even if the Hi-CT doesn’t turn out to be that cool, at least it can carry things which are — It features a removable rear trunk and deck where surfboards, bicycles and other equipment can be loaded. It also includes a 100-volt accessory socket that enables stored electricity from the plug-in technology to be used for a variety of applications