The future of commercial vehicles has a name that comes from the past: Kayoibako, the historic Japanese containers designed to adapt to any load. Toyota has taken this philosophy and transformed it into a revolutionary electric van, capable of reinventing itself several times a day. A vehicle that challenges convention and redefines the very concept of urban mobility.
A jewel of versatility on four wheels
The new electric van Kayoibako di Toyota celebrates its first anniversary since its presentation at Japan Mobility Show of Tokyo. Did you miss it? With a length of just 399 centimeters, this multifunctional vehicle It is a real shock in the transportation sector. The most fascinating feature? An incredible ability to transform itself to adapt to any need.
It strikes me how Toyota has been able to transform this ancestral concept into a vehicle of the future, creating what it defines as a “basic unit of quality mobility”. Kayoibako can become everything: from camper a mobile shop, space shuttle a commercial vehicle, all in a few steps. It's like having four vehicles in one, a brilliant solution for those looking for maximum flexibility.
Electric Van and Micro Camper: Surprising
The Kayoibako's interior space is a triumph of optimization. Thanks to the electric powertrain compact and with a “minimalist” bonnet, the passenger compartment offers an interior length of more than 2,1 metres behind the driver's seat, extending to more than 3,1 metres on the passenger side when fully unfolded.
The camper was developed in collaboration with D&Department, a renowned Japanese home design company. It includes a comfortable double bed that, despite the vehicle's compact size, does not sacrifice comfort. The atmosphere is made cozy by the ambient lighting, with detachable cube lamps and vintage-design lanterns.
One of the details I love is the two-part tailgate, with a fold-down section that’s perfect for putting on your shoes in the morning, whether they’re hiking boots or flip-flops for the beach.
Technology at the service of versatility
Il digital cockpit of the Kayoibako is a masterpiece of functional minimalism. A full-width curved display sits elegantly between the windshield and the transparent lower panel, complemented by an auxiliary screen next to the steering wheel.
And we want to talk about the from software adaptive? The system updates based on your vehicle usage. If you're hauling cargo, it integrates with your inventory control system. If you're hiking, it activates off-road navigation. It's like having a personal assistant that adapts to your needs.
The scope of this concept goes beyond the single vehicle: it represents the vision of Toyota for the future of customizable mobility. And while the Kayoibako may not go into production in exactly this form, its philosophy is already influencing other projects, as demonstrated by the camper made from the mini-pickup Hilux Champ.
Rethinking the mobility of the future: beyond the electric van
At 186 centimeters tall, the Kayoibako offers plenty of space for roof racks and external accessories. Whether you're transporting sports equipment or cargo, the possibilities are endless. The rack is designed to adapt to every season, allowing you to easily load skis in the winter or surfboards in the summer.
The modular nature of this electric van makes no concessions: every element is designed to be easily removed or reconfigured. No exceptions. The folding bed, for example, can be completely removed to transform the interior into a commercial space with shelves and coat racks.
It is an approach to mobility that, also thanks to the future advent of autonomous mobility, will be the cornerstone of a new paradigm: no longer vehicles specialized for single functions, but versatile platforms that adapt to our constantly evolving needs, and become (all of them, not just the electric van) living spaces on wheels.
The future continues to take shape before our eyes.