Apparently convinced that the notion of a single-occupant electric vehicle has legs, so to speak, Toyota will follow up its 2005 i-Swing concept at the Tokyo Show with the similarly intentioned but somewhat less futuristically styled i-Real. The i-Real's driver boards the vehicle in its upright position, from which it can be driven at low speeds. For higher-speed travel, the i-Real's rear wheel extends, reclining the body for greater stability and reduced wind-resistance. It's a fascinating concept, but definitely a fair-weather vision of the future — literally, as the i-Real offers no protection from the elements and no provision for even incidental baggage. In the end, the i-Real amounts to sort of a jumbo-sized Segway.
See more pictures of the i-Real after the break. Or, to get a sense of the company's vision for such a vehicle's place on roadways, have a look here. Click on the "Tomorrow" link and check out the driving animations for morning, midday, and afternoon.
Photos courtesy of Toyota.
Via AutoBlogGreen.
