World-leading Japanese carmaker Toyota Motor Corp is staying true to its no-one-left-behind mantra when it asserts that “Mobility goes beyond cars; it is about overcoming challenges and making dreams come true.”
This is demonstrated with its spunky JUU electric wheelchair. And it comes with some quite interesting specs: Mobility for going up and down staircases, as it is capable of going up and down 160mm (16cm) steps; capable of running on uneven roads; electric power steering motor safely achieves high torque.
Combining style and drivability, the JUU is designed to offer the freedom to travel anywhere unassisted, expanding the user’s world by enabling him or her to freely navigate places that are difficult to access by regular wheelchairs. Thus, the JUU also increases its users’ opportunities for independence and employment.
When climbing or descending a stairway, the JUU’s two large powered wheels (main wheels) traverse the steps, while the retractable tail flips down from behind the backrest to stabilize the wheelchair and prevent tipping. The JUU automatically maintains optimal posture.
JUU’s drive system employs motors used in cars, thus ensuring quality and reliability.
Toyota is also exploring advanced functions to enable JUU to autonomously move and load itself into the rear of a car after the user has boarded the vehicle, and return to the driver’s side when the user needs to alight.