Toyota e Sony desenvolvem robô para transporte pessoal rival do Segway

Por IDG News Service/Japão

Publicada em 01 de agosto de 2008 às 08h45

Tóquio - Winglet apresenta três versões, é quase 5 vezes mais leve que Segway e atinge velocidade de até 6 quilômetros por hora.

A Toyota demonstrou nesta sexta-feira (01/08) um aparelho de transporte pessoal similar ao Segway chamado Winglet baseado parcialmente nas tecnologias robóticas da Sony.

O Winglet é similar a uma versão mais fina do Segway e deve ser usado de pé. O aparelho pode carregar uma pessoa de tamanho médio por até 10 quilômetros com velocidade de até 6 quilômetros por hora, afirmou a Toyota.

O aparelho foi desenvolvido por um time de 10 pessoas que incluem 5 engenheiros ¨emprestados¨ pela Sony. A gigante de eletrônicos se aproximou da Toyota no ano passado para negociar a construção de algum aparato de transporte para o programa robótico da fabricante automotiva, depois da Sony ter fechado sua divisão de robótica, responsável principalmente pelo cão Aibo.

O Winglet é consideravelmente mais leve que o Segway, mas roda menos e tem velocidade menor. O motorista pressiona uma alavanca para frente para fazer o aparelho andar, puxa a mesma alavanca pela ré e a empurra para os lados para virar o veículo.

Três versões do Winglet foram desenvolvidas. A maior diferença entre elas é o tamanho da alavanca. Na maior versão, ela chega até a cintura do motorista, que tem algo em que se segurar durante o passeio, enquanto em sua versão menor a barra do Winglet chega na altura do joelho.

O menor pesa 10 quilos e corre por até 5 quilômetros. Os modelos médio e grande pesam cerca de 12 quilos e têm o dobro da autonomia. Todos têm velocidade média de 6 quilômetros por hora. Em comparação, o Segway i2 pesa 48 quilos, pode andar até 38 quilômetros e atinge velocidade de 20 quilômetros por hora.

A Toyota imagina que o aparelho será usado um dia por pessoas para viajar curtas distâncias dentro das cidades por ser pequeno o suficiente para ser levado em um trem ou um carro.

No entanto, a companhia não tem planos imediatos de comercializar o aparelho. Testes começarão no final do ano no aeroporto internacional de Chubu, em Nagoya, e em um hotel próximo.

Martyn Willians, editor do IDG News Service, de Tóquio.

Prepare to step aside Segway, you had your chance to revolutionize personal transportation. Introducing the Toyota Winglet. Still under development, Winglet's body has a 10.4 x 18-inch footprint and stands 1.5-, 2.2-, or 3.7-feet tall (depending upon the S, M, or L model chosen) and features an electric motor capable of a max 6km/h cruising speed for up to 10km a jaunt (only 5km for the S model). Like the Segway, the user controls the Winglet by shifting his weight to move the transporter forward and back or to make tight turns. Winglet will begin consumer testing at the Central Japan International Airport near Nagoya and Laguna Gamagori resort this Autumn with further testing in more crowded environments planned for 2009. It's planned to hit a production stride in 2010. Hey Toyota, here's a hint: you'd better start lobbying for sidewalk legalization ASAP if you're hoping for global success. All three pictured after the break in order of S, M, and Large.

Update: Video added to show just how nimble the handle-less S and M versions can be.

• 
  

Toyota Announces the Development of the Winglet, a Personal Transport Assistant

Lately many manufacturers are developing transport/walking assistant devices in order to help people get around more safely and freely. This time it's Toyota turns to propose a personal transport assistant. Today they announced the development of the Winglet, a personal transport assistant robot ridden in a standing position.

It's equipped with two wheels and an internal sensor that constantly monitors the user’s position, and makes power adjustments to ensure stability.






Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today development of the "Winglet", a personal transport assistance robot ridden in a standing position.

The Winglet—still being refined—is one of TMC's people-assisting Toyota Partner Robots. Designed to contribute to society by helping people enjoy a safe and fully mobile life, the Winglet is a compact next-generation everyday transport tool that offers advanced ease of use and expands the user's range of mobility.

The Winglet consists of a body (with a projected area the size of an A3 sheet of paper) that houses an electric motor, two wheels and internal sensors that constantly monitor the user's position and make adjustments in power to ensure stability. Meanwhile, a unique parallel link mechanism allows the rider to go forward, backward and turn simply by shifting body weight, making the vehicle safe and useful even in tight spaces or crowded environments.

TMC has created three models, the "L", "M" and "S", each having different handling features that allow consumers to select a model appropriate to their needs—from "practical" to "hands-free sporty".

TMC plans various technical and consumer trials to gain feedback during the Winglet's lead-up to practical use. Practical tests of its utility as a mobility tool are planned to begin in Autumn 2008 at Central Japan International Airport (Centrair) near Nagoya, and Laguna Gamagori, a seaside marine resort complex in Aichi Prefecture. Testing of its usefulness in crowded and other conditions, and how non-users react to the device, is to be carried out in 2009 at the Tressa Yokohama shopping complex in Yokohama City.


TMC is pursuing sustainability in research and development, manufacturing and social contribution as part of its concept to realize "sustainability in three areas" and to help contribute to the health and comfort of future society. Toyota Partner Robot development is being carried out with this in mind and applies TMC's approach to monozukuri ("making things"), which includes its mobility, production and other technologies. In a related development, TMC unveiled the "MOBIRO" mobility robot, designed for use in a sitting position, in 2007.

TMC aims to realize the practical use of Toyota Partner Robots in the early 2010s by furthering its robotic development and strengthening collaboration between industry, government and academia.

Related Links:
Toyota

Sphere: Related Content