i-Unit robot

　　The i-Unit robot donated by Toyota Motor Corporation has become a new "member" of World Expo Museum.

　　On the evening of August 15, the i-Unit robot entered its "new home" in World Expo Museum! It will welcome visitors to the fourth exhibition hall of World Expo Museum.

　　There are eight permanent exhibition halls in World Expo Museum. The i-Unit robot is housed in thenew technology exhibition areain the fourth exhibition hall. It demonstrates the positive effect of technology for life, energy saving and sustainable. Combined with other exhibits in the fourth exhibition hall, it will enhance the popularization of science as well as increase the attraction of the exhibition hall.　　

　　Installing i-Unit　　

　　Installing i-Unit　　

　　Installing i-Unit　　

　　Installing i-Unit　　

　　The i-Unit robot is placed inthenew technology exhibition areain the fourth exhibition hall. It demonstrates the positive effect of technology for life, energy saving and sustainable.

　　High-tech Environment-friendly i-Unit Robot

　　The i-Unit Robot" is a donation from the Toyota Motor Corporation. Since the 1970s, Toyota Motor Corporation has engaged in the development and application of robots, introducing robots to manufacturing systems to improve quality and reduce costs. In 2000, Toyota began to develop partner robots that are expected to work in “harmony with human beings”. The goal is to create friendly and smart robots to support human activities.

　　i-Unit is an ultra-compact single-seat four-wheeled Toyota concept car weighing 180 kg (400 lbs). The concept car is powered by a lithium battery and has no steering wheel, but can be driven by an arm rocker. The seat can be adjusted, so the driver can sit or even lie down while driving the vehicle.

　　i-Unit follows the environment-friendly design concept in the choice ofproduction materials, using plant-based new plastics. To make the eco-friendly image clearer, it takes the shape of a leaf. The color of lights can change according to the operator's preferences or mood.　　

　　i-Unit "lying flat" at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show

　　i-Unit has a small and yet flexible body, with unlimited mobility and freedom. When driving at low speed, it not only saves space, but also reduces traffic jams. All people, including people with disabilities, can drive it into a lift or room, or onto trains, planes and ships. At higher speeds, i-Unit "lies" flat and very stable, with the center of gravity very low. Except for restrictions by traffic rules or other prohibitive factors, in theory, i-Unit can move as one desires, giving people full freedom. Free movement integrates theToyota conceptcar and the driver, reflecting harmony between people and vehicles.　　

　　i-Unit "standing" at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show

　　i-Unit is designed with the concept of “expanding human capabilities”. It attempts to expand the human potential through the integration of people and vehicles. Its mission statement that humans and the Earth should both be better, and mobility will build a closer connection between the people and the Earth is supported by the fact that the freedom of movement expands the individual world and creates opportunities for interactions between nature, society, people and culture. Through the new touch, discovery and meeting together, the individual becomes spiritually full, which helps realize the integration of human beings and the environment.

　　Toyota and World Expos Building a Dream of the Future　　

　　Toyota Motor Corporation

　　Toyota Motor Corporation, manufacturer of i-Unit, was established in Japan on August 28, 1937, with the vision of "pursuing harmony between people and society and the environment." As the world's leading car manufacturer, it also has close connections with World Expos.　　

　　Expo 2005 Aichi

　　AtExpo2005 Aichi in Japan, Toyota robots attracted the attention of the world. Through communication and demonstration activities, Toyota Motor Corporation introduced the future direction of technology development and explored the possibilities of future cars with the futuristic concept car i-Unit” and Toyota·Partner Robots. In the Toyota pavilion, a robot band, composed of instrumental playing robots and DJ robots, amazed the visitors with their "Future World" performance.　　

　　Robot band　　

　　Single-seat electric car i-Unit at Expo2005 Aichi　　

　　Staff of the Toyota Pavilion at Expo 2005Aichi is manipulating the walking robot "i-foot". Developed by Toyota, the walking robot can carry one person and can climb up and down steps. Photo byNiu Yixin,Xinhua News Agency　　

　　The Japan Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai

　　Five years later, at Expo2010 Shanghai, Toyota Motor Corporation showed the next-generation single-person mini-car "i-REAL" in the Japan Pavilion. It is a personal mobility vehicle that realizes the free movement of human beings with the least consumption of energy. It has three wheels, similar to a three-wheeled wheelchair, with two front wheels and one rear wheel. It was an evolution of i-Unit. i-REAL can adjust the wheelbase to adapt to different road conditions. For example, in the pedestrian area, the wheelbase can be shortened, so the space it occupies can be reduced, and it is not obvious in the crowd; the wheelbase could be extended in the driving area, so it becomes a low-gravity, high-speed vehicle, a new concept car that integrates you with the surrounding world.

　　At Expo 2010, Toyota i-REAL pointed to the future of personal vehicle development.　　

　　Mini car i-REAL  Toyota Motor Cooperation

　　Toyota and Car Development　　

　　On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz created the world's first gasoline-powered three-wheeled car, heralding the era of cars!

　　From the first Mercedes-Benz car unveiled at Expo 1889 in Paris, to the rapid development of vehicles today, the history of car development has three waves of revolution. First, Henry Ford launched the T-type carin the United States and created the mass production line. The second wave took place in Europe, where automotive products were diversified. The third wave, occurring in Japan, advocated excellence manufacturing in which Toyota Motor has played a leading role.

　　In the future, will people and cars be integrated, thus realizing the freedom of movement?

　　To address the increasingly serious energy and environment problems in the world, Toyota Motor has always been committed to reducing gas consumption and exhaust emissions through developing fuel saving and alternative fuel technologies such as electric cars and hydrogen fuel.

　　In the area of safety technology, Toyota aims at “zero casualties in traffic accidents” and promotes 3-in-1 research in people, vehicles and traffic environment. It develops the autonomous driving technology under this strategic vision.

　　In the future, can we travel with such vehicles? How will they surprise us?　　

　　Toyota and Future Technology: Partner Robot

　　“Friendliness” and “smartness” are highlights of the robots created to assist human activities such as caring for the elderly and manufacturing, making them desired mobile tools in the near future.　　

　　Toyota and Future Technology: i-REAL  Toyota Motor Cooperation

　　i-REAL is a mobile tool that is closer to "people." While offering freedom, it makes transport more interesting.　　

　　Toyota and Future Technology: Winglet

　　Winglet puts wings on a small body and lets more people enjoy moving.

　　Human inventions exhibited at World Expos in turn stimulated more innovations and promoted the development of human beings. Toyota Motor Corporation, the automotive industry and World Expos are working towards a better life for mankind.

　　Today, Toyota, the world's leading auto brand, is using advanced technology and experience to create a brighter future by building asociety ofsmart transport, developing high-quality smart houses and partner robots that are in harmony with nature. While actively creating a better life, it also opens up new and diversified business opportunities.

　　World Expos have driven human science and technology progress. Each World Expo indicates a new development direction and shows the high-tech reserve for the next 10 or even 20 years. AtExpo2005 Aichi and Expo2010 Shanghai,Toyota is striving to turn the car into a machine of freedom and to interpret its human character, advocating harmony between human beings and the Planet as well as freedom of movement. Such an innovative spirit is the spirit of World Expos.

　　The display of i-Unit at World Expo Museum is not only a publicity of mobility tools in the future society, but also indicates Toyota's commitment to technology innovation and friendliness with the environment.

　　Since it opened last year, World Expo Museum, as the official museum of the BIE, has attracted more and more member states, world expo organizers and other members of the world expo community. Toyota'sdonation reflects the shared desire of both sides to explore and inherit the essence of world expos and to continue the Expo heritage.