Designers of Automobiles Navigating Towards an Unforeseen Mode of Transportation
In a surprising turn of events, Toyota, the renowned car manufacturer, has ventured into the marine industry, bringing its unique design elements to boat building. Established in 1997, Toyota's marine business has a history of over 25 years, marking a significant commitment to offering freedom of mobility beyond roads.
The company's foray into marine transport is not without its challenges. Designing a boat presents unique hurdles compared to car design, but Toyota has risen to the occasion. One of the key factors that set Toyota's boats apart is their innovative use of lightweight carbon fiber and composite materials, originally developed for automotive applications. This material choice results in superior hull construction, as seen in the PONAM-31, a sports utility cruiser that boasts a grey exterior, echoing the aesthetic of a car.
Toyota's boats also benefit from the company's precision manufacturing and engineering discipline, honed through automotive production lines. This contributes to the high-quality finish, reliability, and safety standards in boat construction. The PONAM-31's hull design intentionally veers off the beaten path, with an aluminum hull for better wave handling, a decision driven by the pursuit of enhanced performance.
Tetsuya Iwata, Assistant Manager of the Vision Design Division, is responsible for the interior and exterior design of Toyota's marine vehicles. Iwata and his team conducted comprehensive interviews with marine experts to gain firsthand insights about boat usage. They also tried fishing onboard to scrutinize and pinpoint any areas for design improvement. Toyota's ability to embrace this novel approach is due to the waterproofing and painting technologies honed through its carmaking processes.
The Fun to Drive experience, crucial in car design, is also important in boat design, as standing passengers are rarely considered. The design principles of the PONAM-31's rear section are based on automotive exterior styling principles, with the rear section expanded to convey a sense of robustness.
Moreover, Toyota's marine business could potentially incorporate efficiency and hybrid powertrain technologies adapted from vehicles, although specific examples are less documented. These advancements could lead to more eco-friendly and fuel-efficient boats, aligning with Toyota's commitment to sustainability.
Innovative space design is critical to amplifying the Fun to Marine experience. Toyota's boats are designed with a focus on performance, durability, and innovation, leveraging automotive know-how. The Lexus luxury yacht LY650, designed by Toyota, is a testament to this philosophy, priced at approximately 450 million yen in Japan (excluding domestic taxes as of 2019). Production and sales of the LY650 are currently suspended.
Boating offers a private sanctuary free from traffic, congestion, and prying eyes. Toyota's boats, with their unique design, performance, and commitment to innovation, are set to redefine the marine industry, bringing the Fun to Marine experience to a whole new level.
- Toyota's commitment to innovation extends beyond automotive design, as they incorporate technology developed for cars in their marine vehicles, such as the innovative use of lightweight carbon fiber and composite materials in the PONAM-31.
- In the future, Toyota's marine business could potentially utilize efficiency and hybrid powertrain technologies from vehicles, aligning with their commitment to sustainability and creating more eco-friendly and fuel-efficient boats.
