Toyota EVs Get Printed Accessories

Toyota is testing its i-Road electric trike in several countries. The Open Road project will provide 10 i-Roads for testing along 100 users in different cities. In Tokyo, the automaker is hoping to gain new insights into how to best park and charge these tiny two-seaters, which could be used for urban vehicle sharing. According to the company:

Two key strengths of the i-Road are its compact size and its ability to be charged from a standard 100V electrical outlet. By working with parking lot operators and commercial property owners in central Tokyo, Toyota will capitalize on these strengths by identifying small, unused spaces with access to plug sockets that could be utilized for i-Road parking and charging. Feedback will be collected for analysis on how to expand the parking and charging network.

Users in Tokyo will also have the opportunity to "express themselves" by printing body parts with colors and surface designs of their choosing.

Drivers testing out Toyota's i-Road electric vehicle in Tokyo will be able to 3D print custom panels for the tiny cars. Image: Toyota

Each tester can adhere the 3D-printed panels to the i-Road. Once the vehicle is passed off to the next tester, the panels can presumably be removed and/or replaced.

3D-printed panels aren't the only things Toyota has targeted for one-off production. Thanks to the company's new Toyota New Global Architecture, which will simplify its vehicle platforms, as well as new more efficient (and less robot-dependent) factory designs, the automakers hopes to shift to a production model that will allow for one-by-one production of vehicles, with elements of the line quickly changing out as the next vehicle (which can be a different model entirely) is built. You can read more about that in MotorTrend.

Source: Gas 2