Did you know that the GPS systems in Japan are slightly different compared to the rest of the world? While some may ask you for the GPS coordinates, the good thing about Japan is that all you need is the map code and you can get anywhere. Toyota wants to improve that even more. By showing you where all the toilets are along the motorways.
Using their TC Smartphone Navigation application, users are now able to search for potential restroom stops as well as check out the facilities available. Very useful for people with special needs and also for those who are planning roadtrips across Japan.
The app will provide information of 19,000 public accessible restrooms across Japan and one of the aim is to enable wheelchair users and disabled people to have a stress-free and comfortable journey. The service displays the locations of the relevant facilities which are near the user’s vehicle, and provides route information to the selected facility on the user’s smartphone. Furthermore, detailed information are provided, such as the availability of disabled parking at the facilities, if there are steps at the restroom’s entrance, as well as the types of handrails installed among others.
Toyota created the Restroom Finder application as a part of its application lineup provided exclusively by the T-Connect and Lexus G-Link telematics services. It has provided the service in three Tokai prefectures (Aichi, Gifu, and Mie) for approximately two years from May 2015 to March 2017. The service launched this time will expand the coverage of information on public accessible restrooms across Japan, and will be available free of charge for all smartphone users. This will help to enhance convenience, with the aim of providing reassuring and convenient mobility support services to an even broader range of users.
Going forward, Toyota will continue enhancing TC Smartphone Navigation services as tools that would help to support the mobility-based lifestyles of consumers.
