Toyota just reinvented the school run with a talking, self-driving pod for kids

The Kids Mobi is a self-driving pod designed specifically for children.

Unveiled at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, this pint-sized electric pod stole the spotlight from bigger, flashier concepts.

It’s designed entirely for children, with safety and independence at its core.

Just imagine a world where your kids can hop into their own car, wave goodbye, and let the vehicle take them to school.

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This self-driving pod comes with an AI buddy

Toyota describes the Kids Mobi as ‘safe and secure AI-powered personal mobility for kids,’ and it looks straight out of an animated movie.

The pod features enclosed wheels, big glowing LED ‘eyes’, and sensor ‘ears’ that give it a friendly, cartoon-like face.

A canopy lid lifts up to reveal a snug single seat, perfectly sized for children up to 130cm (about 4′ 3″).

Once your little one is inside, it gently closes to form a cocoon-like cabin.

But this is just the beginning.

Inside, the self-driving pod greets its passenger with an animated digital assistant called the UX Friend.

This AI buddy chats, plays games, and even reacts to the child’s emotions during the trip.

Toyota says the idea is to give kids a sense of freedom and confidence, while ensuring the pod’s AI quietly takes care of the driving.

Think of it as a kind of futuristic training ground for the drivers (or maybe non-drivers) of tomorrow.

Toyota is teasing more advanced AI tech

And because this is Toyota, there’s more than just cute factor here.

The Kids Mobi is part of a broader initiative that ties into the company’s AI × Robotics Data Center, showing that Toyota’s future vision of mobility extends well beyond cars.

On display alongside it was the Chibibo, a four-legged robot companion that follows its owner, hauls a child’s backpack, and even climbs stairs like a loyal robo-pet.

The company hasn’t revealed specs, battery details, or production timelines yet.

While this may very well remain a concept vehicle, one thing’s for sure: there aren’t many concepts out there cuter than this tiny Toyota pod.

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