Toyota found a new use for the largely forgotten Accessible People Mover (APM) which was originally designed for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The fully electric shuttle has been transformed into a “cat bus” that will soon go into service at the Expo Aichi Memorial Park in the Japanese city of Nagakute.
The highlight of the APM Cat Bus is the custom bodywork making it look like a real-life version of the cartoon character from the 1988 animated film called “My Neighbor Totoro”. The smiling cat face at the front is perhaps a little creepy, as with the fact it has no less than 6 paws and a tail. The wheels remain tucked under aerodynamic covers, the headlights have been relocated under the mirrors, and the roof has been upgraded with the addition of four mice. The exterior is painted in yellow and brown shades, with fur upholstery for the mostly exposed three-row six-seater interior.
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There are no mechanical changes compared to the original Toyota APM that debuted back in 2019 as a low-speed people mover with a fully electric powertrain. The 3.9-m (12.8-foot) long vehicle has a driving range of 100 km (62 miles) between charges, with its top speed being limited to 19 km/h (12 mph).
The funny-looking shuttle – which is not autonomous by the way – wants to make travel within the Expo Aichi Memorial Park more enjoyable and comfortable while making it more attractive to visitors. The urban park covers an area of 1.85 km2 (460 acres) so it is convenient to be able to be driven around in an open-air EV after you’re done walking. The start date and specific routes of the bus will be announced at a later date, giving cat-shaped cartoon lovers another reason to book their tickets to Japan.
The project is a collaborative effort between several companies. Monet Technologies will undertake management and operation, Toyota will be responsible for production, rental, maintenance, and inspection, Kotsu will take over the driving, Studio Ghibli will supervise the design, and Aichi Prefecture will make adjustments to the park.
