Unveiling the comprehensive evolution of Toyota's advanced e-Palette vehicle
The e-Palette, a groundbreaking autonomous electric vehicle concept, was unveiled at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. This innovative vehicle, developed with a focus on people-centric mobility, aims to open up new possibilities for transportation that will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Toyota's e-Palette is designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable riding experience. It features adjustable seats and handrails, contrasting interior colours, and calming lighting to cater to diverse riders. The vehicle also incorporates COVID-19 prevention measures such as air ventilation and antiviral coatings, ensuring a safe journey for all passengers.
The e-Palette can be stopped and returned to service remotely in an emergency, and its software-first design allows for continuous updates, maximizing the value provided to customers. The vehicle's operations management system, named Autonomous Mobility Management System (AMMS), incorporates the Toyota Production System (TPS) concept, enabling multiple vehicles to autonomously drive on a course with many curves and stops.
In a significant move, the e-Palette will provide a loop-line bus transportation service for the Olympic and Paralympic villages at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Games. The vehicle is designed to operate based on prior planning but can modify its schedule in real-time when changes occur, such as an increase in the number of people waiting at a bus stop.
Toyota aims to commercialize the e-Palette service in multiple areas and regions in the early 2020s, and evolve it to provide safer, more secure, and more comfortable services while learning by operating in realistic environments where people live. The new operation control system developed for the e-Palette includes the e-Palette Task Assignment Platform (e-TAP), which enables the dispatch of e-Palette vehicles when needed, where needed, and in the amount needed, to achieve just-in-time mobility service.
The e-TAP system also supports the operation staff by enabling visualization of abnormalities in vehicles and workers, allowing a single person to manage several vehicles at once. Vehicle abnormalities are automatically detected, and if that happens, vehicles are automatically returned to the depot and replacement vehicles are immediately dispatched to ensure the stability of operation.
The e-Palette aims to provide all people with freedom of movement that also moves their hearts. Toyota's ambition is to lead the way in mobility, putting people at the center, and creating a future where everyone can enjoy safe, comfortable, and enjoyable transportation experiences.
