TECH TRENDS TOKYO — It’s time once again for Japan to captivate the motoring world

The 2023 Japan Mobility Show, ongoing until 5 November at the Tokyo Big Sight, is the latest incarnation of the Tokyo Motor Show.

After 46 previous stagings beginning in 1954, and its first-ever cancellation in 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic, the organizers decided to rebrand the event amid a rise in new technological trends such as connected and autonomous vehicles as well as electromobility which are upending the industry.

The event's transformation mirrors the approach of the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, when the organizer changed the event's name to IAA Mobility in 2021 as it evolved from an automotive to a mobility platform.

In the case of the first-ever Japan Mobility Show, the presentations and displays reflect the growing importance of electrification and software technologies for automakers in the race to remain globally competitive.

"We want to send out a message to the world about the future from Japan," exclaimed Akio Toyoda in September during the event's formal launch. Toyoda is Toyota Motor chairman and head of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, the event organizer.

I wasn't able to attend this year's Tokyo Motor Show, but having been a part of this event numerous times makes it a must for any motoring writer to relay his or her observations on this biennial occasion.

Over the years, the event has suffered from dipping attendance as the Japanese public slowly shifted its interest away from cars.

Attendance peaked at two million in 1991 and fell to 770,000 in 2017. The last Tokyo Motor Show in 2019, attracted 1.3 million visitors but there were only 192 participating companies, down from around 300 in the 1990s.

The event's cancellation in 2021 gave Toyoda, who took the helm of JAMA for the second time in 2018, the chance to accelerate reforms considering that a number of technological trends were impacting the automotive sector.

For example, the advancement in artificial intelligence are now being used to guide self-driving cars and assist drivers for improved safety and utmost comfort. Toyoda's reforms paid off as the number of participants reached a record 475 firms this year.

Among the most fascinating displays was from Honda which left the visitors in awe of the full-size interior mockup of the car company's light business jet called the HondaJet Elite II.

Also on display was a one-fifth-size exterior mockup of the Honda eVTOL or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

Honda explained that the eVTOL, which takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter, eliminates the need for runways and other large facilities. Moreover, it is electrified, making it possible to offer a quieter and cleaner transportation.

Of course, the concept cars of Honda were unveiled. But the one that piqued the interest of visitors was the car giant's new electric vehicle prototype called the Afeela, a product of Sony and Honda's joint mobility venture.

The Afeela leverages Sony's experience with artificial intelligence, entertainment, and virtual and augmented reality.

It also features over 40 sensors which include cameras, radar, an ultrasonic detector, and LIDAR or light detection and ranging (a remote sensing method that uses pulsed laser for range measurement) that are embedded all over the exterior of the vehicle, enhancing its ability to detect objects and drive autonomously.

FIRST-EVER CHINESE CAR BRAND

Another interesting development at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show is the participation of BYD (Build Your Dreams), the world's leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles or NEV. BYD is the first-ever Chinese automaker to get invited in this globally-renowned event, underscoring the Japanese market's evolving inclination towards electric vehicles.

At the event, BYD displayed the Seal, a pure electric sporty sedan that is scheduled to be launched in Japan next year. There's also BYD's premium electric sub-brand, YangWang, which displayed for the first time outside the Chinese market, the YangWang U8.

What's special about this massive, range-extended electric SUV is that it can perform a 360-degree tank turn — thanks to electric motors located on each wheel — and the ability to stay afloat and wade in water during emergencies.

A NEW WAY TO STEER

Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, unveiled an all-electric Land Cruiser SUV concept. The seven-seater, three-row concept SUV features plenty of rhomboid shapes with a long hood, swooping windshield and rounded rear end.

Toyota explained that while this SUV "helps create a comfortable cabin space when driving in urban areas," the concept is also designed to handle rough terrain, which is good news for off-roaders that love the badge.

What is unique about this Land Cruiser concept is that it has no gas and brake pedals. Instead, it features a yoke-style steering wheel.

The system — known as Neo Steer, and reportedly inspired by motorcycle handlebars — is designed to provide an unrestricted driving position along with smooth entry and exit. With its safe, intuitive hand-operated driving system, even those with lower limb impairments could operate this vehicle.

The Neo Steer is fitted with a "steer-by-wire" system, which means it can provide a steering ratio which can automatically adjust according to the vehicle's speed, to eliminate the need for hand-over-hand maneuvers.

In addition to the Land Cruiser, Toyota has a concept midsize electric pickup truck called the EPU, which is designed for outdoor activities and has a cabin that can open to the deck.

There's also the "Land Hopper," a foldable electric trike with leaning front wheels for easy turning as well as a powered "Juu" wheelchair that can go up and down the stairs.

Toyota even presented a space mobility prototype designed to traverse rocky extraterrestrial bodies. The two-seater space ATV tech will be integrated into the automaker's future Lunar Cruiser vehicle that it in development.

FUTURE DELICA

Mitsubishi Motors, on the other hand, held the world premiere of the Mitsubishi D:X Concept electrified crossover MPV.

During the unveiling, Takao Kato, Mitsubishi Motors president and chief executive officer, said: "The Mitsubishi D:X Concept is a concept car that brings together the best of Mitsubishi Motors' technologies — our electrification and all-wheel control technologies in particular — with a view to realizing a carbon-neutral society."

"We will continue to provide fulfilling mobility lifestyles that awaken the adventurous spirit of drivers and provide excitement for everyone on board."

The design of the Mitsubishi D:X Concept hints at the future look of the Delica, the automaker's minivan. But this concept offers a spacious cabin as well as a protective body to keep its occupants safe.

It features panoramic seats that rotate and move up and down, and a front window and see-through hood that provide an open, wide field of vision for the passengers.

ECO-CONSCIOUS RACERS

For Nissan Motor, it unveiled the Hyper Force, an all-electric high-performance supercar designed for racing enthusiasts and gamers who crave the adrenaline rush of the racetrack but are also eco-conscious.

At its core is a high-output all-electric powertrain with an optimal-weight-balancing, all-solid-state battery that can produce an output of up to 1,000 kW with precise and rapid acceleration.

It promises enhanced cornering and exceptional handling on circuits and winding roads, thanks to an advanced form of Nissan's e-4ORCE all-wheel control technology and light-weight body featuring a high-strength carbon body structure.

The Nissan Hyper Force features two driving modes, "R" (racing) and "GT" (grand touring). There's a graphical user interface that changes color and display to inform the driver which mode he or she is on.

These graphics are the result of Nissan's collaboration with Polyphony Digital Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment and makers of the Gran Turismo video game.

For safety, this concept car is also equipped with LIDAR and an array of sensors tuned for sports driving, ensuring a high level of safety both on public roads and on the circuit.

The Nissan Hyper Force is also equipped with an innovative augmented and virtual reality experience that enables driving in both the real and the virtual world seamlessly.

When the vehicle is not being driven, the driver can use a special helmet with blind visors for virtual reality that enables the driver to enter a gamified driving experience, complete with modes that enable racing against the clock or online racers.

By using skeleton visors for augmented reality, the driver can compete against their friends' or even professional drivers' digital ghosts on a circuit, allowing users to safely push their driving skills on real-world tracks.

CLEAN ENERGY SOURCE

For the first time, Isuzu Group exhibited its fuel cell-powered heavy-duty truck. The vehicle has been jointly developed by Honda Motor and Isuzu, pooling their respective technologies and expertise since entering a joint research agreement in January 2020.

Isuzu provided the GIGA heavy-duty truck, and Honda, the fuel cell-powered system for GIGA's powertrain. Both companies believe that fuel cell technologies powered by hydrogen, which produce zero CO2 emissions, are ideal for trucks that are designed to carry heavy loads over long distances and long hours of operation.

Isuzu is working to bring a production model to market in 2027, with vehicle testing on public roads to take place this year. This clean, heavy-duty fuel cell-powered truck, which also minimizes noise and vibration, is seen to accelerate the pace towards a carbon neutral society.

Indeed, the 2023 Japan Mobility Show clearly illustrates the once-in-a-century transformation that is taking place in the auto industry right now. With China's vigorous transition to electric vehicles, let's expect Japanese automakers aim to be at the forefront of the so-called next-generation mobility.