The robotic chair unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 can move through complex environments with four articulated legs.
Although the chair is still a prototype, it is intended to allow users with disabilities to climb stairs and cross obstacles that traditional wheelchairs cannot pass. It can also lift users to gain access to cars and other elevated vehicles and platforms.
you may like
watch on
The legs are completely independent and each can bend, lift and fold for greater maneuverability. When not in use, the legs can be folded neatly under the robot, making it easy to pack into your car or luggage. The system can also be deployed and stabilized without user assistance.
Described as an “autonomous wheelchair”, the bot is packed with a number of features that allow it to navigate difficult terrain by mimicking the movements of four-legged animals like crabs. These include LiDAR systems, which use laser light to measure distance and create highly accurate and detailed three-dimensional representations of objects and environments. Robots use it to avoid obstacles and deal with uneven surfaces.
When climbing stairs, the unit first tests the height with its front legs, then pushes up with its back legs. It also has a built-in collision radar to avoid contact with people or objects.
Additionally, Walk Me has a built-in weight sensor to help users maintain a stable seated position. Toyota engineers studied how people naturally move up stairs and how they distribute their weight when navigating or overcoming obstacles. When the robot senses an imbalance, it adjusts the tilt of its legs and the seat itself to keep the user comfortable and safe.
There are also many manual control options. A handle is attached to the seat to guide the direction of the robot. Alternatively, the digital interface provides specific buttons for precise control of movement. Walk Me also responds to voice commands, including preset destinations such as “living room” and speed controls such as “slower” or “faster.”
This unit is powered by a battery hidden behind the seat and can run all day long. The battery is charged by plugging it into a standard wall outlet overnight.
Walk Me was part of a wide range of products Toyota unveiled at the Tokyo Mobility Show, which also included self-driving cars for kids and a “wheelchair Land Cruiser” with ultra-tough all-terrain tires and a durable frame. According to Top Gear, the wheelchair was inspired by Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda, 69, who wants to “drift, do donuts, and race off-road until he retires.”
Source link
