Toyota rises to Olympic AV mobility challenge

With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics fast approaching, Toyota is adapting 20 of its e-Palette autonomous shuttles to move contestants around the athletes’ village. Adoption of the automated electric vehicles has been based in part on feedback from athletes from past games about their mobility needs. The 5.2m long e-Palette shuttles feature large doors, a low floor and electric ramps to allow up to 20 Olympians or four wheelchair Paralympians (plus additional standing passengers), to board quickly and easily.
October 24, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

Direct from ITS World Congress 2019

With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics fast approaching, 1686 Toyota is adapting 20 of its e-Palette autonomous shuttles to move contestants around the athletes’ village.

Adoption of the automated electric vehicles has been based in part on feedback from athletes from past games about their mobility needs.

The 5.2m long e-Palette shuttles feature large doors, a low floor and electric ramps to allow up to 20 Olympians or four wheelchair Paralympians (plus additional standing passengers), to board quickly and easily.

The SAE level 4 vehicle is capable of operating at up to 20kmh and will be supported by an on-board safety operator.

Deploying the e-Palette for athlete and staff mobility is a key element of Toyota’s program to provide advanced mobility solutions for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics; the knowledge gained will be fed back into developing the vehicle to support future MaasS applications.


Designed with front/rear symmetry, wheels at the corners and a cube shape, Toyota’s e-Palette provides an expansive interior space.

In line with the company’s “Mobility for All” commitment, it is fitted with handrails and seats that are easy to use regardless of height, while the floor, trim, seats and other components have contrasting colours that assist people with colour-blindness.

The shuttle is the first developed specifically by the company for autonomous mobility as a service (“Autono-MaaS”) applications, reflecting Toyota’s transition to a mobility company combining electrification, connectivity and advanced driving technologies to support new shared mobility business models.

In common with the athletes they will carry, what will happen to the shuttles once the Olympics are over will be decided after the closing ceremony.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Tech advances create MaaS without compromise
    August 29, 2019
    Advances in technology make it possible for authorities to compile and maintain MaaS platforms cheaply - and without relinquishing control to third parties. Colin Sowman finds out more… It is increasingly clear that local authorities’ reluctance to implement Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is based on politics and finance. However, the technology underpinning MaaS is evolving rapidly and is presenting new solutions. At its heart, the political resistance comes down to the divide between the ethos of public
    Read More
  • European Truck Platooning Challenge gets under way
    April 6, 2016
    Something huge in the field of connected vehicle technology and automated driving, which is grabbing headlines around the world, will arrive here at Intertraffic Amsterdam later today. Dirk-Jan de Bruijn, programme director of the European Truck Platooning Challenge 2016, sets the scene and looks to the future.
    Read More
  • Communications hold key to expanding ITS wireless network expansion
    December 21, 2017
    Wireless transmission of data and control information is making smarter traffic management easier and cheaper to install. It has long been known that connectivity is the key to improving traffic management and many cost-benefit studies prove that investment in new technology can be justified in terms of reduced congestion, shorter travel times, improved safety and air quality. However, many authorities’ cap-ex budgets only cover urgent matters, not improvements, making it difficult, if not impossible to
    Read More
  • Communications hold key to expanding ITS wireless network expansion
    December 21, 2017
    Wireless transmission of data and control information is making smarter traffic management easier and cheaper to install. It has long been known that connectivity is the key to improving traffic management and many cost-benefit studies prove that investment in new technology can be justified in terms of reduced congestion, shorter travel times, improved safety and air quality. However, many authorities’ cap-ex budgets only cover urgent matters, not improvements, making it difficult, if not impossible to
    Read More

Highlighted Content