Toyota rolls out plans for unique vehicles to transport people during the Olympics

The city of Tokyo is gearing up for the world’s largest sporting event, the 2020 Olympic Games. The Olympics are without a doubt the most televised event in the world, attracting thousands of fans from around the globe and boasting of a viewership that is in the billions. While it is certainly a point of great pride for a city to be able to host the mega event, it comes with its own set of challenges. The Olympics see tens of thousands of athletes, as well as tourists, flock to a city, causing enormous strain on its infrastructure. To alleviate the logistical problems faced with transportation, automotive behemoth Toyota has unveiled a one-of-a-kind solution for the mobility problem.

Called as the Accessible People Mover, or APM, the vehicle will have two models, basic and relief. Both models are electric vehicles with the basic one having a capacity to accommodate six people. Moreover, it would also have a foldable ramp of sorts, to facilitate people with disabilities as well as families with toddlers and infants. Some of the seats can also be folded to make room for wheelchair-bound visitors.

The other model, relief, is planned for emergencies. It is similar to the basic version, but the rows of seats in it can be adjusted to make room for stretchers.

Compact vehicles such as these can help alleviate the logistical problems of transporting people and athletes to venues on time.