Toyota’s Engineering Society recently unveiled an inventive spherical mobility device that seems lifted from a science-fiction story. Conceived in 2024 under the Society’s annual theme, “What’s this? It’s amazing!”, the project challenged a volunteer group of over 20,000 engineers to transform a concept into a human-carrying transparent sphere within just a few months.
The design is rooted in the same mechanics as a hamster wheel. Inside the sphere, a wheeled cart travels along metal rails; as it moves, it causes the sphere to rotate and propel itself. The earliest prototype, small enough to fit in one’s hand, proved unstable and derailed after a few rotations. Yet the engineering team persisted, advancing rapidly toward a full-scale, two-meter-diameter model capable of carrying passengers.
Designer:
Constructing the sphere required expertise in clear, durable materials. Toyota turned to Shinshi, an acrylic specialist known for manufacturing high-strength curved panels used in aquariums. The project presented significant fabrication challenges. Workers at Shinshi admitted to considerable difficulty in achieving the right clarity and robustness. Through careful casting, segmenting the body into four joined parts, and meticulous polishing, the team eliminated cloudiness and achieved a crystal-clear shell.
Inside, the cart has been refined for safety and comfort. It now includes rollers to prevent derailment and houses the battery, motor, and computing equipment. Movement is controlled by a joystick, offering manual and autonomous modes. To maintain rider comfort as the sphere maneuvers, including forward, backward, or broad turning motions, the weights shift internally to keep the seating platform level. The device can reach speeds of up to 10 km/h, which is impressive. Mixed Reality (MR) tools were employed to virtually test door positioning and interior layout before finalizing the design. The resulting vehicle accommodates two passengers, typically envisioned for a parent and child, and features playful lighting to engage younger riders.
In October, the sphere made its debut at Waku-Waku World, Toyota City’s annual engineering festival. It drew substantial attention: over 200 people formed a line, with test rides assigned by lottery. Visitors, including children, enthusiastically climbed in, piloted the sphere across a stage designed to evoke an ocean, and left smiling. The success of this public demonstration reflected not only the device’s ingenuity but also its emotional resonance.
Beyond its spectacle, the spherical mobility concept is far from a practical transportation solution. It lacks traction control, steering precision, and real-world usability. Instead, it serves as a creative engineering showcase rooted in Toyota’s monozukuri philosophy, symbolizing mastery of craft and the joy of invention. Ultimately, this transparent, rolling capsule stands as a testament to engineering playfulness and technical exploration. Blurring the line between fantasy and reality, it invites observers to marvel, and perhaps repeat the phrase that inspired it: “What’s this? It’s amazing!”
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