For most of us, waking up in the morning, hopping out of bed, switching the kettle on, having our coffee, showering, and jumping in the car to head off to work or the gym is taken for granted.
But for many, their reality is the polar opposite.
So when you think of Toyota the first thing that comes to mind is the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer and in South Africa, the country’s most successful manufacturer that’s been topping the sales charts for decades.
They’re also one of the few companies that don’t see electric vehicles as the silver bullet to all of fossil fuels' supposed evils, preferring a more measured approach with hybrids, mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen, electric and of course the internal combustion engine, to cater for their vast array of customers around the globe.
But it’s not only cars, bakkies, buses, trucks and SUVs that they’re involved in but also providing mobility for those who don’t have the privilege of getting out of bed unencumbered every day.
As a global partner for the Olympics and Paralympics, Toyota has done more than provide money and vehicles for the world’s largest sports spectacles; they are also actively involved in research and development to provide mobility for people with disabilities.
The sad reality is that many of us are uncomfortable with people that have disabilities that get around in wheelchairs and other means, but when you see athletes without limbs and a number of other mental and physical challenges putting themselves out there for millions to see, that you gain a new insight and enormous respect.
We recently spent time with Toyota in Paris during the Paralympics and had a closer look and hands-on experience with what they’re involved in.
Wheelchairs, scooters and carbon fibre limbs are a far cry from Dakar bakkies and Gazoo Racing successes around the globe but it forms an integral part of what they do as well.
In many cases they have teamed up with specialists in the field to find the best possible solution to challenges faced daily by those less fortunate than ourselves.
According to Akio Toyoda, Chairperson of Toyota Motor Corporation, “When you are free to move… Anything is possible.”
It’s the driving force behind their “Mobility for All” vision that’s transforming Toyota from an automotive company to a mobility company.
Toyota NOAH
It was conceived as a multi-purpose-vehicle (MPV) in 2001 as family friendly transport and since then it’s been improved so that customers can equip it with a wheelchair ramp and a tilt and turn seat.
During the Tokyo 2020 Games, it was used to transport athletes and guests at competition venues and also used as a taxi shuttle while in Paris 2024, the Toyota Proace Electric Vehicle with a wheelchair ramp was part of the official fleet.
Toyota APM (Accessible People Mover)
The APM is a battery electric vehicle developed by Toyota for the Olympic and Paralympic Games to transport athletes and spectators with reduced mobility. There is also an emergency relief version for short distance transport of injured patients.
When Toyota first became a Paralympic Partner in 2016 there was a limited amount of transport for para-athletes so they designed and built the APM for Tokyo 2020. For Paris they redeveloped it to meet European driving environment and regulations. APM 2.0 was designed by Toyota Motor Europe and produced in Portugal by Toyota Caetano.
It has a maximum speed of 20km/h, a range of 100 kilometres and takes five hours to charge.
Toyota C+ WALK
The C+ walk wasn’t so much designed with disabilities in mind but rather a mode of transport for those who can walk on their own but have difficulty walking for long periods or distances, especially older people.
Depending on the need there’s a two wheeled and a three wheeled version.
For Paris 2024 it was used by staff and volunteers at competition venues and used by para-athletes in the Village and at Paralympic ceremonies.
Depending on which one, they have a maximum speed of 6 and 10km/h, a range of 10 to 14 kilometres and it takes two and a half hours to charge.
GENNY
Genny Mobility was the creation of Paolo Badano who was restricted to a wheelchair for more than 20 years as a result of a car accident.
When he saw the Segway PT self balancing scooter in 2009 he started to design something similar for disabled people to use while sitting.
The latest creation is the Genny Zero which was showcased in Paris by Ottobock, the official distributor.
It has a maximum speed of 15km/h, a range of 24 kilometres and tackle slopes up to 15 degrees.
Klaxon
Klaxon Twist is a versatile propulsion system for wheelchairs featuring a small wheel, electric motor, and battery. It's adaptable to different wheelchair models and can be configured in multiple ways to meet users' specific mobility needs.
It came about when two keen wheelchair bound sailors Enrico Boaretto and Andrea Stell were frustrated by being able to move freely at sea but were restricted when they came ashore.
EPPUR
Eppur is the first braking system for wheelchairs, to reduce users’ effort while moving around.
Using the Dutch bicycle back pedal braking system Colin Gallois and Lancelot Durand while studying mechanics and industrial design saw someone lose control of their wheelchair and after six months the first prototype was produced.
Supported by Toyota, Eppur Dreeft wheels were installed on spare wheelchairs provided by Ottobock in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Village.
YOSH-E
Yosh-E is co-developed by Toyota and the Austrian company Klaxon converting a mechanical wheelchair into a battery-powered electric mobility solution.
In 2020 Toyota Motor Europe launched an internal innovation competition called “let’s participate!”. The jury later suggested looking for a more realistic solution on “How to give more freedom of movement to manual wheelchair users?”
They then partnered with the Austrian company Klaxon to co-develop the product and the result is the wheelchair e-puller with some cool Gazoo Racing livery attached.
In the 2024 Games Yosh-E was used by para-athletes in the Village and at the Paralympic Opening and Closing ceremonies, and by several Team Toyota athletes as personal mobility solutions.
Toyota JUU
The Toyota JUU is an electric wheelchair prototype that’s able to autonomously climb stairs up to 16cm high.
The first prototype appeared in 2022 and in 2023 they showcased the second version.
When climbing or descending stairs the two main wheels climb the stairs with a retractable tail flips down to prevent the wheelchair from tipping over and to stabilise it.
Interestingly, the drive system employs motors used in their electric cars.
Toyota is also researching functions that would enable the JUU to autonomously navigate and load itself into the rear of the car once the user has climbed in and then to return to the driver's seat when they arrive at their destination.
It’s clear that Toyota has become a lot more than just a vehicle manufacturing company as they transition to a mobility solution organisation.
So next time you hop into your Hilux, Corolla Cross or any of their many other vehicles, spare a thought for those that have to do it with more effort and also acknowledge that companies like Toyota are doing a lot to ensure that being mobile is a privilege that everyone shares.
Toyota have subsequently ended their 10-year association with the International Olympic Committee citing increasing political influence and putting athletes second.
"I've wondered for a while now whether the event is truly putting athletes first", "It is also becoming increasingly political," chairman Akio Toyoda said.