
The future is looking mighty bright for Toyota in this cartopia.
Toyota Motor Corporation unveiled their new concept car, the e-Palette, at this year’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show). This fully autonomous and electric vehicle is the centerpiece to their wider spanning Mobility Services Platform (MSPF), which aims to broaden the horizons of the humble automobile considerably.
Although it played a key role in transportation and as a human reproduction module throughout the 20th century, the car as we know it will soon cover a slew of new uses. As the following video shows, cars may soon also become your own private shoe store or mobile office space.
For example, a current problem with online shopping, particularly for shoes, is that you can’t actually touch or try on the product before purchasing. However, with an e-Palette fitted to become a shoe store on wheels, it will show up at your doorstep and let you try them on before you hand over your money.
Furthermore, all the troubles of setting up a giant holographic boxing match in the middle of nowhere will finally become a thing of the past with Toyota’s innovative system.
Of course, these are mere branches of the entire envisioned “mobility ecosystem” that Toyota wants to create. Although, if they really wanted to tout the performance of the vehicles they should have included a mobile LASIK e-Palette scooting by in the video.
All that aside, the traditional purposes of getting from point A to point B for people, as well as goods, is still present and enhanced under the e-Palette system, as the following video shows.
The e-Palette concept vehicle itself is basically a room on wheels, available in lengths from four to seven meters (13 to 23 feet). Since no driving controls are necessary, the interior can be decorated or have whatever needed equipment installed.
▼ With a Mobile Hotel you can stay while you go.
Vehicles are also intended to have a flexible control scheme shared between Toyota and other companies who have signed on to potentially use them, such as Amazon, Pizza Hut, Uber, and DiDi. Depending on the licensing agreement, Toyota’s system can handle as much or as little of the automated driving as partner companies want.
▼ So, if this Handcraft Market frequented by Sims characters happens to already have their own automated driving software developed, Toyota can accommodate it.
The e-Palette vehicle is only a concept, however, so we can’t expect the future to be exactly as sterilely white as the video depicts, nor with quite the same soothing Silicon-Valley-twinkly-piano soundtrack.
▼ But if there’s a future without Fab Lab, then baby, you can keep it.
However, the underlying system is certainly the way of the future because – let’s face it – there is money to be saved. In fact, Japan’s leading courier service Yamato Transport is already well into testing their own fleet of robotic delivery cars.
Toyota is just looking to get in on the trend in a big way, and with this open car concept, they have the potential to please both customers and companies alike.
Source, images: Toyota Motor Corporation







Toyota to Unveil Driverless Car at Consumer Electronics Show
Toyota’s wooden concept car serves as a time capsule for generations to come
The future is (kind of) here – Something not quite right with Toyota’s patent for a flying car
Toyota’s new vehicle changes colour and suggests destinations according to your mood
Toyota goes full otaku, makes 40 kawaii mascots for every part of the car
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Sakuramochi festival sweetens things up at Tokyo’s Seibu Ikebukuro this season
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
One Piece devil fruit ice cream coming back to Baskin-Robbins Japan
We accidentally turned our cheap country house into a “gaming house” for Christmas【SoraHouse】
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Toyota to begin testing Guardian Angel—an invisible driving companion that could save your life
Beautiful models and cool cars from the Japan Mobility Show【Photos】
Japanese hotel offering sports car touge tours, no Japanese-language ability required
Real-world Koraidon and Miraidon Pokémon are ready for their close-ups【Photos】