Toyota launches urethane-bodied personal vehicle

By Liz White, UT staffTokyo-At the 39th Tokyo Motor Show 22 Oct, Toyota launched the i-swing, a vehicle designed almost to be "worn" and giving zippy mobility in crowded conditions. It caused a stir at the show, commentators said, as beautiful models were let loose in the single-person vehicle to flash around the show amongst the punters. The i-swing has "an individual design with a 'wearable' feeling," says Toyota. Its low-resistance urethane body, covered in cloth, will "soften any impact while operating near people, " Toyota added. An LED illumination panel can "display an image to suit your mood," the Japanese carmaker said. In busy streets full of people, the i-swing's two-wheeled mode takes up little space, according to the manufacturer. "It is possible to travel while keeping pace and talking with someone on foot," Toyota added. But if more speed is needed, the i-swing can change to three-wheeled mode. It has a stick control, but pedal control can also be used to "provide a fresh cornering feeling, as you shift your body weight as if you were on skis," Toyota explained. "