Innovative Transportation Methods Unveiled Post-Expo, Soaring to New Heights
In the heart of Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture, lies the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, a testament to the visionary ideas of Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda. His legacy, rooted in innovation and sustainable development, continues to inspire ongoing projects within the park's boundaries.
Shoichiro Toyoda, the former Chairman of the Expo Association for the Aichi Expo, was instrumental in shaping the park's landscape. His insistence on preserving the park's natural environment during the Expo in 2005 has resulted in a park that harmoniously blends with its surroundings. Today, the park is open to the public and is named Ghibli Park, a cultural and creative haven that attracts visitors from far and wide.
Ghibli Park, while not directly attributed to Shoichiro Toyoda, embodies his spirit of innovation. The park features facilities based on famous Studio Ghibli films, such as My Neighbor Totoro and Princess Mononoke, offering an immersive and engaging experience for visitors.
One of the most exciting developments within Ghibli Park is the introduction of new types of mobility. The e-Palette, an autonomous, electric mobility concept, aims to provide a futuristic transportation experience, while the APM Cat Bus, modeled after the iconic cat bus from My Neighbor Totoro, offers a playful, innovative solution for short-distance travel within the park. Both the e-Palette and APM Cat Bus underscore a spirit of innovation that embraces safety, autonomy, and new user experiences.
The APM Cat Bus, a low-speed BEV, is just one example of the innovative mobility solutions that echo Shoichiro Toyoda’s vision nurtured at the Expo legacy. The e-Palette, on the other hand, is an autonomous, electric mobility concept aiming at flexible urban transportation, reflecting a commitment to pioneer advanced mobility technologies that align with future societal needs.
The lifetime achievements of Shoichiro Toyoda's father, Kiichiro, are also honored within the park. Kiichiro, the founder of Toyota Motor Corporation, pioneered the Japanese automotive industry with his dedication to innovation, monozukuri (craftsmanship), and industrial advancement. This spirit of craftsmanship and innovation is celebrated and perpetuated through activities in the Expo park and Toyota’s ongoing projects, such as the Takumi craftsmanship initiatives.
In a ceremony in Toyota City, Chairman Akio, as the representative of the Toyoda family, paid tribute to Shoichiro's lifetime achievements and emphasized the importance of preserving the natural environment in the park's creation. The demonstration tests of the e-Pallette and APM Cat Bus, carried out from January to February this year, showcased the ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability within the park.
From March 16, the APM Cat Buses will begin operating in Ghibli Park, offering visitors a unique and engaging way to explore the park. As the park continues to evolve and grow, Shoichiro Toyoda's legacy will undoubtedly remain a guiding force, inspiring future generations to embrace innovation, sustainability, and the harmonious coexistence of technology and nature.
[1] Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park Official Website [2] Toyota Motor Corporation Official Website
The Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, now named Ghibli Park, showcases innovative transportation solutions that reflect Shoichiro Toyoda's vision, such as the APM Cat Bus and the e-Palette, which aim to pioneer advanced mobility technologies in the industry and finance sectors.
Shoichiro Toyoda's father, Kiichiro, whose lifetime achievements are also honored in the park, pioneered the Japanese automotive industry, emphasizing innovation, monozukuri (craftsmanship), and industrial advancement in the transportation sector, which continues to be a guiding force in the park's projects.
