Toyota RAV4 Mountain Rescue, the Japanese manufacturer's proposal that will save lives

An SUV has many capabilities, so it is no surprise that it is an increasingly popular and attractive type of vehicle for private users and emergency services. This is the option Toyota has chosen to propose a version of the RAV4 designed for rescuing people in the mountains and rough terrain. The RAV4 Mountain Rescue is designed to fulfil that role, and this prototype brings together all the features needed to achieve it.

This concept model, which for the time being will not go into production, was due to be presented at the 2021 Tokyo Motor Show before being cancelled because of the pandemic. Even so, it has undergone some demonstrations in mountain areas to check how it works and whether it can offer solutions to the problems it would face in real life.

The concept is based on the RAV4 Adventure Gear, which was presented at the 2020 Tokyo Motor Show. It has been modified by adding emergency lights and other elements that reinforce its role as an emergency and mountain rescue vehicle in adverse environmental conditions.

To do so, it has speakers, a camera and a LiDAR radar. The equipment includes a high-mountain rescue kit, with protective helmets, ropes and a sled for moving across snow should it be necessary to transport people or equipment in those conditions.

Technology supports this rescue equipment with the inclusion of an augmented reality function, whose operation we are not entirely clear about, but which would be useful in very adverse environmental conditions. We assume it will be based on geolocation to determine where the vehicle is moving and what it may encounter along the way.

As for its move to a production format, it does not seem likely that it will reach that stage. However, some of the elements used in this vehicle will be applied to other models, enhancing their capabilities and who knows… It may end up serving and putting its power and equipment at the service of lost mountaineers.

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadToyota RAV412 versions · from 46,500 €