Toyota unveils a rainbow bubble on wheels that could drive your child to school without a driver
Not long ago, Toyota showed how they see the future. Your child sits in a bright 'bubble' on wheels, waves goodbye, and the car drives off to school by itself. No driver, no parents, only a chatty AI on board. It sounds rather doubtful. Yet the company is confident that this is exactly how things will be. They even presented this colorful 'bubble' at the Japan Mobility Show 2025. The concept, Kids Mobi, is a mini electric car for children up to 130 cm tall, fully autonomous and ready for solo trips. While it's a prototype, the company promises it will join the Mobility for All project, where transport adapts to everyone, regardless of age or ability.
In This Article:
- Kids Mobi A Mini Autonomous Electric Car for Children Up to 130 cm Tall
- Autopilot and Sensors Drive the Ride
- UX Friend The AI Companion That Turns Rides Into Adventures
- No Production Date Yet and Regulatory Questions
- Chibibo A Four-Legged Robotic Porter for Backpacks
- Toward the Future or a Risk for Parents
- Bottom Line The Idea Is Intriguing But Not Yet Plausible
Kids Mobi A Mini Autonomous Electric Car for Children Up to 130 cm Tall
The body is made of lightweight plastic or composite with rounded edges, bright colors to stand out in traffic. In front, LED eyes flash, and sensor ears pick up the surroundings. The door-dome opens upwards; inside is a single seat with plush upholstery so the child feels cocooned. If there are two children, then presumably you would need to buy two such cars; and if five?
Autopilot and Sensors Drive the Ride
Back to the prototype. The wheels are hidden for safety, while cameras and sensors monitor the road, pedestrians and obstacles. The autopilot manages speed, steering, and braking. If you trust the developers, it's all built on AI from the Toyota AI x Robotics Data Center.
UX Friend The AI Companion That Turns Rides Into Adventures
And now the star of the show, UX Friend, the AI companion that turns a ride into an adventure. As soon as the child is buckled in, the 'friend' comes to life. It chats, tells stories, plays games.
No Production Date Yet and Regulatory Questions
There are no production dates; tests with real children are still being decided at the level of local authorities. In Japan they are already thinking about laws for such 'kid pods'.
Chibibo A Four-Legged Robotic Porter for Backpacks
Nearby Mobi at the show stood Chibibo, a four-legged robot porter for backpacks, capable of climbing stairs.
Toward the Future or a Risk for Parents
Toyota is looking toward the future, but one AI glitch, one hacker... and what then for parents? In short, the idea is cool, but in present realities unlikely. Maybe only in Japan.
Bottom Line The Idea Is Intriguing But Not Yet Plausible
The concept is cool, but in today’s reality unlikely. If anywhere, perhaps only in Japan.
