Toyota's new i-ROAD is a flexible form of transport designed for getting around on city streets. The new Toyota i-ROAD with its compact size, maneuverability, easy parking, rapid charging and choice of an open or closed cabin makes it an ideal urban vehicle that allows individual freedom of mobility.
Seating two in tandem and under cover, the innovative three-wheel eco car uses Active Lean technology that automatically balances the vehicle when cornering or traveling over stepped surfaces. As a result, it is safe, intuitive and enjoyable to drive, with no need for driver or passenger to wear a helmet.
The i-ROAD is the latest concept to emerge from Toyota's 40 years of research and development of vehicles that use less energy, place less of a burden on the environment and are practical in meeting people's everyday transport needs.
It takes the company closer to its goal of creating the ultimate range of eco cars. Toyota is paving the way for several types of eco car to co-exist in the future, by adapting its Hybrid Synergy Drive technology for use in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles.
The ultra-compact, three-wheel i-ROAD measures 2,350 mm long and 1,445mm high and has a 1,700mm wheelbase. Its most significant dimension, though, is its width: at only 850 mm, which makes it no wider than a conventional two-wheeler. Not only does this make for easy maneuvering through congested traffic, it also means four can be parked in a single parking bay.
The zero-emissions, all-electric powertrain uses a lithium-ion battery to power two 2kW motors mounted in the front wheels, giving brisk acceleration and near-silent running. The battery can be fully recharged from a conventional domestic power supply in three hours with a range of up to 50 km on a single charge.
Toyota's new and entirely intuitive Active Lean technology is the key to i-ROAD's high levels of stability, safety, comfort and fun-to-drive character. The system uses a lean actuator and gearing mounted above the front suspension member, linked via a yoke to the left and right front wheels.
The actuator also operates when the i-ROAD is being driven in a straight line over stepped surfaces by automatically compensating for changes in the road to keep the body level.
No special skills are needed to pilot i-ROAD; the Active Lean system offers a unique driving experience with the enjoyment of riding a two-wheeler, but with no need for the driver to stabilize the vehicle when maneuvering at low speed, or when stationary.
As the driver doesn't have to put his feet on the road surface at any time, i-ROAD can be fitted with a safer, weatherproof, closed body and so can be driven without wearing a helmet.
This design also allows for a more car-like environment on board, with the potential for features such as lighting, heating, audio and Bluetooth to be provided.
Toyota envisages its i-ROAD concept has the potential to play a significant role in easing urban traffic congestion and reducing air pollution by lowering the levels of carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and particulate emissions.
Toyota i-ROAD eco car offers low running costs, easy parking, maneuverability
Toyota i-ROAD eco car offers low running costs, easy parking, maneuverability
Some Warren Buffett wisdom on his last day leading Berkshire Hathaway
OMAHA, Nebraska: The advice that legendary investor Warren Buffett offered on investing and life over the years helped earn him legions of followers who eagerly read his annual letters and filled an arena in Omaha every year to listen to him at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meetings.
Buffett’s last day as CEO is Wednesday after six decades of building up the Berkshire conglomerate. He’ll remain chairman, but Greg Abel will take over leadership.
Here’s a collection of some of Buffett’s most famous quotes from over the years:
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“Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”
That’s how Buffett summed up his investing approach of buying out-of-favor stocks and companies when they were selling for less than he estimated they were worth.
He also urged investors to stick with industries they understand that fall within their “circle of competence” and offered this classic maxim: “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1.”
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“After they first obey all rules, I then want employees to ask themselves whether they are willing to have any contemplated act appear the next day on the front page of their local paper to be read by their spouses, children and friends with the reporting done by an informed and critical reporter.
“If they follow this test, they need not fear my other message to them: Lose money for the firm and I will be understanding; lose a shred of reputation for the firm and I will be ruthless.”
That’s the ethical standard Buffett explained to a Congressional committee in 1991 that he would apply as he cleaned up the Wall Street investment firm Salomon Brothers. He has reiterated the newspaper test many times since over the years.
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“You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.”
Many companies might do well when times are good and the economy is growing, but Buffett told investors that a crisis always reveals whether businesses are making sound decisions.
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“Who you associate with is just enormously important. Don’t expect that you’ll make every decision right on that. But you are going to have your life progress in the general direction of the people you work with, that you admire, that become your friends.”
Buffett always told young people that they should try to hang out with people who they feel are better than them because that will help improve their lives. He said that’s especially true when choosing a spouse, which might be the most important decision in life.
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“Our unwavering conclusion: never bet against America.”
Buffett has always remained steadfast in his belief in the American capitalist system. He wrote in 2021 that “there has been no incubator for unleashing human potential like America. Despite some severe interruptions, our country’s economic progress has been breathtaking.”
