Japanese automaker Toyota unveiled Friday (August 1) a personal scooter that people can ride in a standing position.

Japanese automaker Toyota unveiled Friday (August 1) a personal scooter that people can ride in a standing position.
Toyota says its new product in the making, called the "Winglet," is more compact and easier to carry around than the Segway with its smallest model weighing less than 10 kilogrammes.

The car maker says the machine would be useful particularly in such places as airports, shopping malls and hospitals.
"In the future, if you used this machine at an airport, it would obtain the latest flight and terminal information and take you to the right gate automatically," said Yoshiyuki Kawarasaki, project general manager of Toyota Motor Corporation. "Wouldn't it be convenient especially if you were in a foreign country?"

The Winglet consists of a body that houses an electric motor, two wheels and internal sensors that constantly monitor the user's position and make adjustments in power to ensure stability.
Meanwhile, a unique parallel link mechanism allows the rider to go forward, backward and turn simply by shifting body weight, making the vehicle safe and useful even in tight spaces or crowded environments, Toyota says.

Toyota plans to carry out more tests this year and next year before the Winglet can be sold as a commercial product.