Forget Wheels: Toyota’s Robotic Chair Walks Like an Animal!

Toyota has introduced a groundbreaking mobility concept called “walk me” at the Japan Mobility Show twenty twenty-five. This innovative autonomous wheelchair redefines assistive movement by replacing traditional wheels with four robotic foldable legs designed to move like living limbs. Unlike standard wheelchairs, Toyota’s creation can climb stairs, navigate uneven terrain, and even lift the user to reach vehicles or higher platforms.

Each leg is fully motorized and capable of bending, lifting, and adjusting independently. This allows “walk me” to move smoothly across surfaces where traditional wheelchairs struggle. The chair’s design focuses on user comfort and safety. Its supportive frame keeps the person upright while a curved backrest provides proper ergonomic alignment. The user controls movement through intuitive side handles or a digital interface equipped with buttons for precise commands.

The legs are covered in soft materials that protect the internal mechanisms and sensors from external damage while giving the chair a friendly, approachable look. Toyota’s engineers have studied how people naturally distribute their weight and how they move on stairs to ensure the system remains stable in motion. The autonomous feature uses smart sensors and algorithms to keep balance and control on complex surfaces.

When not in use, the foldable legs retract into a compact form, allowing the wheelchair to fit easily inside a car or small space. When reactivated, the system unfolds itself automatically and stabilizes before moving. Though still a prototype, Toyota’s concept hints at a future where assistive mobility is intelligent, adaptive, and inclusive.

This vision highlights Toyota’s commitment to human-centered design—creating technology that enhances independence for people with reduced mobility. By combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and thoughtful ergonomics, the “walk me” concept could one day change how people with limited mobility explore the world around them.