Toyota e-Palette autonomous vehicles to be rolled out “within the next few years”
Toyota will roll out its all-electric e-Palette autonomous vehicles for commercial applications during the first half of this decade, according to the Japanese manufacturer.
The box-like delivery and mobility apparatus are set to undergo rigorous testing this year at Toyota's prototype Woven City – in the foothills of Mount Fuji – to refine the advanced onboard operations management system, which governs logistics, safety, maintenance, and efficiency.
According to Toyota, this process will pave the way for commercial goods and service delivery operations "within the next few years."
The e-Palette was originally slated for use as a shuttle during the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, however the fate of this event now appears to be in doubt due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Drive has contacted a spokesperson for Toyota Australia regarding the potential for such vehicles to be introduced locally in the future.
Despite a tapering of media attention in recent years, autonomous technology is still driving exceptional investment from manufacturers. Last week Ford announced it would devote US$7 billion (AU$9.2 billion) towards in-house development.