Engineers from Toyota construct a transparent, drivable sphere, reminiscent of a hamster wheel for human usage.
The Toyota Engineering Society has made a splash at this year's Waku-Waku World, Toyota City's annual engineering festival, with the unveiling of a groundbreaking invention: a transparent, human-carrying spherical mobility device.
The innovative device, which drew smiles from visitors, is a testament to engineering playfulness and technical exploration. The two-meter-diameter sphere, capable of carrying passengers, symbolizes mastery of craft and the joy of invention.
The interior of the device includes rollers to prevent derailment, a battery, motor, and computing equipment. Movement can be controlled by a joystick, offering both manual and autonomous modes. The device is designed to travel along metal rails.
The mechanics of the device are reminiscent of a hamster wheel, with the sphere rolling effortlessly as it moves forward. However, it's important to note that the spherical mobility concept is not a practical transportation solution due to the lack of traction control, steering precision, and real-world usability.
The transparent, rolling capsule made its debut in Japan, with the prototype first presented by the Toyota Engineering Society. The device's body is made of clear, durable materials manufactured by Shinshi, ensuring a seamless visual experience for passengers and observers alike.
Visitors, including children, enthusiastically piloted the sphere across a stage designed to evoke an ocean. Over 200 people formed a line for test rides, with assignments made by lottery. The debut of the device blurred the line between fantasy and reality, inviting observers to marvel.
The idea for the device was inspired by the phrase "What's this? It's amazing!", reflecting the team's excitement and awe at their creation. The spherical mobility device stands as a creative engineering showcase rooted in Toyota's monozukuri philosophy, which emphasises the importance of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The device reached speeds of up to 10 km/h during the public demonstration, adding to the excitement and wonder of the event. The Toyota Engineering Society's spherical mobility device is sure to inspire a new generation of engineers and innovators, encouraging them to push the boundaries of what is possible.
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