Toyota’s booth at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show brimmed with futuristic ideas, from spider-like delivery bots to a six-wheeled Lexus minivan. Yet among all the tech-heavy marvels, one creation charmed visitors more than any other: the Kids Mobi, a self-driving, bubble-shaped EV made exclusively for children.

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Framed as a “safe and secure AI-powered personal mobility for kids,” the concept blurs the line between toy and vehicle. It has a smooth, pod-like body with enclosed wheels and animated LED “eyes” that mimic expressions.

Even the sensors on the roof are shaped like ears, with the whole thing being reminiscent of an animated character.

The canopy, lifted straight from a sci-fi sketchbook, swings upward to reveal a snug single seat built for children up to 130 cm tall (about 4 feet 3 inches). Once inside, the canopy closes and an AI assistant called the “UX Friend” comes to life, chatting and playing with the young passenger throughout the ride.

While the Kids Mobi obviously relies on autonomous tech for navigation, Toyota says children can still participate in the drive, giving them a sense of control.

“It’s not just adults who want to drive and enjoy some time to themselves,” the company explains. “Kids also want freedom of mobility. And just as adults have cars, kids deserve a trusty sidekick.”

Letting a child ride solo in an autonomous pod may sound like science fiction at best and unsettling at worst, but Toyota argues it could eventually prove safer than a traditional school bus.

For now, the Kids Mobi remains a concept, though it reflects what the automaker calls the “ultimate goal” of its AI x Robotics Data Center. That means the idea will keep evolving long after the show floor closes.

Still, the project represents the “ultimate goal” of the automaker’s AI x Robotics Data Center, so development will continue.

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Until the Kids Mobi is ready to hit the road (or, more likely, the bike lane and sidewalk), visitors of the Japan Mobility Show can check it out up close and snap a photo with it. Toyota will also give each kid an original keychain as a souvenir.

Another Kid-Friendly Concept

Interestingly, the 2025 lineup at the show includes another Toyota concept that could serve as a helpful companion for toddlers.

The Chibibo is a quadruped robot that walks alongside people and vehicles serving as a last-mile delivery solution. A shown in the official renderings, it could help a child carry their backpack, lunchbox, or any other item that would be too heavy for them.

The spider-like design allows the robot to navigate narrow alleyways and climb stairs, taking parcels to places that vehicles can’t. When idle, it crouches down into a resting pose, much like a loyal robotic pet.

Toyota

It seems there’s no limit to how many ways companies can reinvent the humble wheel, and RDS has decided to take another crack at it. The Japanese brand has unveiled a new modular mobility platform called the Raptor, a shape-shifting electric three-wheeler that can transform into entirely different vehicles.

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The system works by separating the machine into upper and lower sections, allowing users to swap top modules for different applications while keeping the same base.

How Does It Work?

The real ingenuity lies in the Raptor’s detachable modules, which connect through a custom locking mechanism designed to feel both sturdy and intuitive.

RDS describes the concept as a way to let “creators and businesses from a variety of fields” experiment with new vehicle forms without having to start from scratch each time.

Several concept mockups have already been created, but the standout among them is the racing version. Called the Sparrow, it was developed in partnership with MIE Racing, a team active in the FIM Superbike World Championship.

The Sparrow’s upper section adopts the familiar cues of a sport motorcycle, complete with a handlebar, a single-seat setup, and compact bodywork that mimics a racing silhouette. While the upper portion looks cool, the same can’t be said about the proportions, with the wheels looking tiny in comparison to the overall height.

In any case, the company has introduced a special edition of the EV at the Japan Mobility Show, designed by F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull Racing.

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This Sparrow Tsunoda Edition carries a racing livery decorated with autumn leaves in orange, blue, and white, giving it a more playful (and seasonal) character.

Beneath the interchangeable body, every version of the Raptor shares the same running gear. The lower frame uses three wheels powered by a single electric motor drawing energy from a 48V lithium-ion battery pack. Both front and rear ends employ swing-arm suspension with a tilting system to improve balance through turns.

The dual front wheels measure 12 inches in diameter, while the rear wheel is slightly smaller at 10 inches. All of them are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. The EV will be able to reach a speed of 40 km/h (25 miles), although a limiter can be set at the desired level.

RDS says that the Raptor will be classified as a motorized bicycle in Japan. Pricing and availability of individual versions will be announced at a later date. Furthermore, the company is currently working on an autonomous driving unit for commercial use.

RDS