Toyota Winglet news - The future's upright...- 2008

In the future, you will be old. This is inescapable. And what will you be driving in the future when you're old, wizened and have developed a curious predilection for the entire Genesis back catalogue?

One of these, if Toyota gets its way. These are the Winglets, tiny stand-on scooter type affairs described as 'personal transport assistance robots ridden in a standing position'. Yes, they're Segways for the future.

The Winglet, which is still under development, consists of an A3-sized body (the paper, not the Audi hatchback) housing an electric motor, with two wheels and internal sensors that adjust to keep the rider upright.

It is operated simply by shifting body weight, and comes in various specs, from 'practical' (for which read 'geriatric') to 'hands-free sporty' (for which read 'slightly less geriatric').

The Winglet has a cruising speed of 4mph and a range of just 10 kilometres. It's not clear at this stage whether tartan shopping bags will be offered as an optional extra.