The Winglet is Toyota’s answer to the Segway; an electric-powered two wheeler that’s ridden in a standing position. The Winglet, which is still currently under development, consists of a body with a projected area the size of an A3 paper that houses an electric motor, two wheels and internal sensors that monitor the user’s position and make adjustments in power to ensure the rider’s stability. Thanks to a parallel link mechanism, the rider can go forward, backward and turn by shifting his body weight. -Continued
The Japanese company has created three different versions of the Winglet named the “L”, “M” and “S”. Each model has different handling features from “practical” to “hands-free sporty”. Toyota plans to introduce the production version of the Winglet in the early 2010s.
Toyota Winglet Specifications
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Model |
“S” |
“M” |
“L” |
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Length (mm) |
265 |
265 |
265 |
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Width (mm) |
464 |
464 |
464 |
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Height (mm) |
462 |
680 |
1,130 |
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Weight (kg) |
9.9 |
12.3 |
12.3 |
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Maximum cruising speed (km/h) |
6 |
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Turning radius (m) |
0 (able to rotate within its own space) |
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Cruising range (km)* |
5 |
10 |
10 |
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Charging time |
1 hour (full charge) |
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