Toyota and Pokémon Collaborate to Bring Real-Life Miraidon Model to Reality
In a unique collaboration between The Pokémon Company and Toyota, the Toyota Miraidon Project has come to fruition, symbolising the idea that "adults' devotion makes children's dreams come true."
The project, which took approximately six months from planning to construction, started with an idea sent to the Toyota Engineering Society (TES) by Hinano Serizawa, the author of the winning entry. For Hinano, the Miraidon is the most famous future mobility in the world for children who have played Pokémon Violet.
TES reviewed around 8,000 responses from elementary schools in Aichi Prefecture and chose the Toyota Miraidon as the creation for the TES theme of Future Mobility in 2023. The Miraidon, a legendary Pokémon, appears in the game Pokémon Violet, released in 2022.
The Toyota Miraidon Project is a creative expression of technological capabilities merged with the captivating world of Pokémon. It reflects Toyota's commitment to monozukuri, or the art of manufacturing, and showcases the company's ability to apply its production system beyond traditional manufacturing areas.
Hinano was surprised to see the real-life-sized Miraidon, as she didn't know they were actually building it. The display of the life-sized Miraidon gathered attention from children, adults, and media, further solidifying the interactive nature of this project and its appeal to both Pokémon fans and those interested in automotive innovation.
Test drives for the Miraidon have been announced, making this project even more interactive. A video showcasing the Toyota Miraidon is available for viewing, encouraging viewers to enjoy it from beginning to end as a family. Hinano shares her dreams for the future in the video, adding a personal touch to the project.
The Toyota Miraidon, being a mobility device, can move as it should. This special edition is being released on Children's Day. The hands of TES members can be seen in the video, demonstrating the collaboration between Toyota and The Pokémon Company, as well as Toyota's willingness to engage in creative and innovative projects.
In essence, the Toyota Miraidon Project is a testament to the potential to inspire future generations through engineering and innovation. It brings the captivating world of Pokémon to life in a way that is both technologically advanced and accessible to all. The life-sized Miraidon was displayed in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya in March 2024, marking a significant milestone in this unique collaboration.
Smart-home devices and gadgets could adapt their functionalities to mimic the features of the legendary Pokémon Miraidon, enhancing the overall experience for children and Pokémon fans. Technology, in continually evolving and reaching unprecedented levels, is enabling this crossover between the automotive and gaming industries to flourish.
