Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
With the implementation of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila, traffic is back to being heavy and everything seems to have returned to what it was before the pandemic, except perhaps for the social distancing protocols. We enjoin everyone to help avert a second wave of COVID-19 infections by staying safe and staying alert. Always remember to wearing face masks and/or face shields when talking to another person or a group of people.
For Part 4 of our trip to the 46th Tokyo Motor Show at the Tokyo Big Sight convention hall in Ariake, Tokyo, Japan last October 2019, we will go a bit technical as we look at the companies that make the components, which will make electric vehicles (EVs) and self-driving cars a near possibility. The industry players components were showcased under the CASE banner – Connected cars, Autonomous driving, Sharing and services, and Electric vehicles – and with the concept of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) for new transport services.
Sphere Light automotive LED lighting accessories displayed a Mitsuoka Orochi sports car (previous photo) and a sports bike decked in a sequence-like finish.
Vespa showcased the Primavera and GTS scooters.
Alpine’ s Seamless Smart Mobility Solution includes inter-connected multiple TFT touch screens and monitors inside the vehicle.
The concept of the new Marelli brand, “Powering Progress Together”, is focused on helping their customers confidently navigate and succeed in an unprecedentedly changing industry…
Marelli’s Human-Max Cabin can create a “Cabin of my Own” experience, where the climate inside the vehicle is maintained automatically at personalized settings based on thermal sensor readings of the occupants.
The 2019 McLaren MCL34 of Carlos Sainz was the center of attraction of the Marelli display pavilion.
DENSO demonstrated their security, energy, and connected solutions through their interactive AR*1 miniature simulator to highlight the company’s core technologies.
A new Skyline sedan was on display to show Nissan’s Pro-Pilot autonomous driving aid and e-Power technologies.
A hydrogen-powered fuel cell system was shown in phantom view.
Mitsubishi Electric packed their autonomous driving system into a Mazda sedan dubbed as “xAuto”…
… while Hitachi showed their autonomous components in a sports-cars-like open display platform.
Mitsuba mounted their electric motors in the eCOM-8 (electric community 8-wheel) concept vehicle.
R-Spec Data System loaded this 2019 Suzuki Jimny with their latest connectivity technology.
Cutaway Toyota RAV4 shows all the JTEKT parts such as electric actuators and electronic controls that are in the new Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD unit; and rack-parallel type electric power steering (RP-EPS), hub unit, constant velocity joint, and various bearings designed for larger SUVs.
The Aisin Group showcased their past, present and future technologies with an interesting display starting with…
… the “Present” and their “i-mobility TYPE-T”, which is equipped with a broad range of Aisin Seiki automotive products…
… the “Future” with their “i-mobility TYPE-C” concept, which is equipped with technologies and services that meet various user needs in future driving conditions…
… and the “Past” with a 1966 Toyota Sports 800 ” that was restored by Aisin Seiki employees.
Under the slogan “New Motion, New World”, NSK showcased the electrification of components for driving, steering, and stopping motor vehicles.
Nissin focused on the aluminum fabrication technology and brake components…
… and displayed the Red Bull Honda CBR1000RRW Suzuka 8-hour endurance race bike…
… and the Mugen electric Tourist Trophy (TT) racing motorcycle of John McGuinness.
These short articulated drive shafts look robust…
… and they’ll work well with these cross joints, especially the big one.
Keihin plans to “evolve into a global green vehicle solution brand”…
…leaving Mikuni Solex to focus on making power-enhancing induction systems…
… such as the prototype TMR racing carburetors for the Datsun inline-six…
… 50PHH racing side draft carburetors…
… and belt-driven superchargers with intercooler for small-displacement engines.
Rays lightweight alloy wheels occupied a honeycomb-like structure…
… which showcased their latest designs.
The booth of Toyota Boshoku centered on the MX191 prototype that proposes a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable mobility space during autonomous driving…
… and incorporates numerous advanced technologies of unique seat arrangements, next-generation safety systems, and an intelligent cabin environment.
Toyota Boshoku developed the seats and interior components of the Toyota LQ concept car featuring artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and other technologies that closely mimics human operation.
This is Toyota Industries’ record-breaking KU:RIN concept vehicle that runs on compressed air.
NIU Electric Scooters displayed their UQi GT (left), NQi GT (center), and MQi+ (right) models finished in handsome black with red stripes.
Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) displayed three of their race cars for the Japan series.
Whew! Our feet are sore and our legs are aching and we’ve just covered the Ariake Exhibition Center of the Tokyo Big Sight. We still have to walk through the show vehicles displayed at the Open Road Exhibition to get to the pavilions of Toyota, Daihatsu, Subaru, Hino, Isuzu, UD, Tomica, and other electric vehicles displayed at the Aomi exhibition hall and, before we forget, we need to go to the Future Expo at the Toyota Aomi building.
So, we hope you’ll still accompany us as we’ve got a lot more walking to do! Hmm… Do you think they’ll they’ll lend us one of those NIU electric scooter so we don’t have to walk?
