Toyota Motor Corp. has begun road testing its Winglet two-wheeled electric vehicle on public roads in Tokyo’s Koto Ward.

Drivers use the 1.2-meter-tall, 20-kilogram device in a standing position, moving the vehicle by shifting their weight. The Winglet can go as fast as 6 kph.

In the trials to check the safety and effectiveness of the Winglet, drivers ride the device for about a kilometer at a speed of 5 kph on the sidewalk near Tokyo Teleport Station on the Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Inc.’s Rinkai Line.

In July last year, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry partially revised safety standards for road vehicles, allowing automakers to test drive these types of vehicles on public roads if they meet certain requirements such as using guards at the test site.

 

Winglet’s trial period will continue through March 31 next year. The automaker will also offer the public opportunities to try out the vehicle from late April.

Segway Japan Ltd. will also start conducting demonstrations of its product from April, according to the ministry.