Toyota and Sony partnering on single-seat vehicle


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So far not many automobile companies are exploring the possibilities of single-seater vehicles. We are not talking of the Segway kinds but something like the i-swing, a concept car that Toyota unveiled way back in 2005. An “armchair on wheels”, as most called it, has given inspiration to Toyota to seriously attempt making a feasible one-seater vehicle. Sony has been asked to help out, and on their part Sony have sold several major patents regarding its robotic technology to Toyota and seven of its researchers are temporarily working with the carmaker on project called the next-generation “transporter.”


Toyota has already made a new robot-on-wheels called the TPR-Robina, that is used as a guide at its headquarters. TPR-Robina has the ability to avoid obstacles and talk with visitors. Sony has kind of abandoned the early work it’s done in robotics and is instead concentrating on improving its core electronics business.
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