Winglet Could Roll with this Role: Keeping An Aging Population Moving

Last week in Tokyo, Toyota Motor Corporation showed off prototypes of the Winglet, described as a "personal transport assistance robot ridden in a standing position." The immediate response on these shores? Toyota is trying to create a "Segway killer," a reference to the much larger and faster rolling stand-up unit created by Dean Kamen in 2001.

This characterization, in turn, has led to a debate over the value of such contraptions, with many bloggers and their responders concerned that so-called PTs (for Personal Transporters)  only pander to an increasingly sedentary society that, instead, ought to get off its collective duff and—dare we say it—actually walk.

Such takes miss the point, as I see it. First, Toyota has no designs on the still-fledgling Segway. The Winglet is a different high-tech animal that, if commercialized, would aim to address a different market need. Also, at a top speed of just 3.7 miles per hour, it’s unlikely to be embraced by able-bodied humans fully capable of outpacing it with a moderately brisk walk.

Toyota’s sights are set squarely on the emerging needs of Japan’s aging society. By 2055, 40 percent of the country’s population is expected to be over the age of 65—the double-whammy of decreasing birthrate and increasing life expectancy. The Winglet, or some variation on this basic theme, could help the elderly continue to get around and maintain the breadth and depth of their lives—realizing psychological as well as physical benefits (aka improving quality of life).

Rather than intrude on Segway’s market, Toyota is simply looking at future needs and planning how to meet them.

- Dan Miller, Corporate Communications

Comments

[paul merrill]

My guess is that the older Japanese people are in better health than older Americans. So it would be used more legitimately there than here - by those who genuinely need that assistance rather than those characterized by "Wall-E".

[John Hunter]

I see the market need as a great one to target. I must admit the Winglet doesn't strike me as the right solution but I am no expert on personal transportation (and I am sure Toyota will do a great job of testing and adapting to market needs).
And a note on press releases in these days of bloggers. If I were doing press releases for the Winglet, I would definitely include photos with people (it is difficult for people to really get with just a photo of the device). Also I would include embeddable webcasts (like YouTube) of Winglets in action. Also provide references to related Toyota initiatives with personal robot assistants... I know Toyota is doing a great deal of work in this area. But finding out the current status is not easy on Toyota's web sites (or at least I have not found where such info is, if it is available).

[JOEJACK]

HOW MUCH DO THESE WEE BEASTIES COST?