Toyota's C+walk series offers mobility assistance for those who have trouble walking, tackling a problem faced by many around Japan.
Most people would consider a two-minute walk to be a short journey. For some older adults, however, the reality is very different.
Astonishingly, a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism found that some 20% of those aged 75 and over could not walk more than 100 meters without over-exerting themselves and needing to rest.
In old age, even covering a distance of 100 meters requires significant effort.
That’s what makes cars so convenient, but the issue is that drivers are expected to hand in their licenses as they get older. At the same time, the logistics and transportation industry’s “2024 problem” has meant that many bus services face cutbacks or elimination.
Those who give up their licenses will find significant obstacles in everyday life, particularly in rural areas.
For the many older people who wish to continue working or going out on their own, Toyota has designed a mobility solution catering to these needs.
The C+walk series, available in Japan, can be ridden without a driver’s license. Let’s take a look at how these mobility aids were developed to provide walking assistance.
More options for greater mobility
“Increasing the available options is important,” says Masashi Yamada, Project Manager at the Commercial CASE Planning & Development Div.
Masashi Yamada, Project Manager, Commercial CASE Planning & Development Div.
After surrendering their licenses, many people have trouble getting around as their legs and backs become frail. We, therefore, set out to support the mobility of individuals in this life stage.
Many people can’t walk far, even if short distances pose no problem. We focused on walking as the most basic mode of travel for short trips.
Although electric bikes are another means of transport that doesn’t require a license, the risk of falls increases as physical function declines.
According to the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis (ITARDA), between 2015 and 2019, 84% of fatal electric bicycle accidents in Japan involved riders aged 65 or older.
From licenses to differences in physical ability, diverse circumstances require diverse mobility solutions. Yamada explains his development vision.
Masashi Yamada, Project Manager, Commercial CASE Planning & Development Div.
We were determined to make it easy for anyone to ride, with simple controls that could be explained in one minute. We started with one-handed controls before switching to an improved two-handed system.
This is because the dominant hand differs from person to person. In trials ahead of Tokyo 2020, people who were left-handed or had a right-hand impairment found it hard to use.
Users also told us they wanted to bring their legs together when riding, so we made the seat position adjustable. To prevent fatigue from constantly pressing the accelerator lever, we shaped the handlebar so that the hands could be rested on it, ensuring comfortable operation.
Through repeated trials, the C+walk evolved into a safe, user-friendly mobility solution for all.
Sidewalks aren’t entirely safe either
The seated C+walk version has six speeds (1-6 km/h) and is treated as a pedestrian under Japan's Road Traffic Act. Similarly, the current standing model sports a sticker classifying it as a small mobility vehicle, meaning that both types can travel on sidewalks.
However, if you look down next time you’re walking around, you may be surprised by just how uneven footpaths are compared to roads.
With bikes hurtling past at high speeds, even sidewalks hold many dangers for older users. As Yamada explains, this is why building a three-wheeler made a lot of sense.
Masashi Yamada, Project Manager, Commercial CASE Planning & Development Div.
A three-wheeler offers a good view of the ground, ensuring the rider can firmly grasp their surroundings.
We’ve also improved maneuverability, so the C+walk can swiftly avoid any holes along the path. Our ideal was something that could move nimbly, even in crowds.
One aspect that mirrors walking is feeling the ground surface through the soles of your feet so that you know when to slow down or avoid rough terrain.
The C+walk also slows down when turning and has an obstacle-sensing feature that emits warning sounds when a collision with a person or object seems likely. In a world without clear answers, we continued to take on new challenges and suggest solutions while listening to feedback from users.
The C+walk is simple to operate and can smoothly navigate tight spaces or slopes. It also has plenty of storage space, and unlike a car, the battery can be easily popped out and charged at a standard wall socket.
As a carmaker, Toyota has also given careful consideration to safety, with features such as obstacle detection and downhill speed adjustment settings.
We also asked Yamada about the key design points, to which he replied, “In terms of width, you take up less space riding the C+walk than walking.” How can that be?!