Toyota's Robotic Chair Can Walk, Climb Stairs, and Fold Quickly
Toyota has introduced an innovative mobility device — a four-legged robotic chair called Walk Me, which can walk, climb stairs, and fold into a compact size in just 30 seconds. The model debuted at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 in Tokyo.
What is known
Walk Me is a fundamentally new approach to mobility aids for people with limited mobility, where wheels are replaced by four motorized "legs." Similar to animal movement, each leg is capable of bending, climbing, and independently balancing. They provide smooth movement on gravel, stairs, and uneven surfaces while maintaining user stability.
For maximum comfort, the device's legs are wrapped in soft material, and sensors and LiDAR scan the surrounding space, detecting obstacles, steps, and other terrain details. The intelligent system ensures stability and instant stopping in case of collisions with objects in its path.
Robotic chair Walk Me. Photo: Toyota
The seat inside Walk Me conforms to the user's body shape, equipped with an ergonomic backrest and side control handles. Using them, you can indicate the direction of movement, supplementing the voice control capabilities: just say "go to the kitchen" or "speed up."
The integrated computer calculates the route, displays speed, battery charge, and movement statistics on a screen in the armrest. The battery is hidden behind the seat back. It powers the device throughout the day and charges from the electrical grid. In case of overheating, the device shuts off.
Another feature of Walk Me is the folding capability. With one press, the chair turns into a suitcase, convenient for transport in a car or storage at home. Once turned on, Walk Me unfolds again and is ready to work.
Toyota positions Walk Me as a solution for real-world conditions: narrow corridors, stairs, and streets. Although it's just a prototype for now, the project demonstrates Toyota's commitment to advancing robotics.
Source: Designboom
