The mibot is a tiny single-seater ‘mobility robot’ for traversing Japan’s crowded city centres
Japan is the undisputed centre of compact car culture, and KG Motors' new mibot is one of a new wave of micro-EVs that look set to take the country’s cities by storm

The mibot is the latest in a series of ultra-compact electric city cars to fly by our radar. Built by Hiroshima-based KG Motors, the mibot is described as a ‘small mobility robot packed with excitement.’ Orders are being taken now, with the vehicle priced at one million Yen, or just over £5,000.
The mibot from KG Motors
Intended for just a solitary passenger, with 45kg of cargo space, the little mibot is aimed at Japan’s ageing population who are seeking a vehicle that’s a little more user friendly than the conventional mobility vehicle. For a start, it’s fully enclosed, with cute, upright bodywork, a chunky interior style with a single 8-inch information touchscreen and even air conditioning.
The interior of the mibot
The car’s tiny dimensions – just 1.1m wide, 2.5m long and less than 1.5m high – give it the go-ahead to enter narrow urban streets and paths. KG suggests an everyday range of around 100km, with a frankly rather frightening potential top speed of 60km/h. Charge time for the 7.68kW battery should be around five hours on Japan’s 100V AC electrical system.
The mibot has a glass panel roof
Smaller even than Japan’s ‘kei car’ category of 660cc city cars, the existence of the mibot implies a market for tiny EVs, separate and distinct from the conventional car market. In Europe, vehicles like the Citroën Ami are defined as light quadricycles and can be driven by those as young as 14 in certain markets. The mibot requires a regular car license, however, and the legal minimum driving age in Japan is 18.
The mibot is undeniably diminutive
KG certainly haven’t scrimped on big car features, including online connectivity to ensure that other-the-air upgrades can be made to the vehicle’s systems. The company grew out of a popular YouTube channel, Kussun Garage, and made its vehicular demo with the T-Box concept at the 2022 Tokyo Motor Show. This tiny, high-riding electric van paved the way for the single seater mibot, ushering in what the company hopes will be fresh interest in zero emission microcars.
The mibot is scaled for the compact, traditional city
Mibot, more information at KG-M.jp, @mibot_KG
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Frieze London 2025: all the fashion moments to look out for
The best fashion happenings to add to your Frieze London 2025 schedule, from Dunhill’s curation of talks at Frieze Masters to an exhibition of furniture by Rick Owens
-
Artists reflect on Kate Bush lyrics for a War Child auction
Peter Doig and Maggi Hambling are among artists interpreting Kate Bush’s 1985 track ‘Running Up That Hill’ for War Child’s online auction
-
Explore Tom Kundig’s unusual houses, from studios on wheels to cabins slotted into boulders
The American architect’s entire residential portfolio is the subject of a comprehensive new book, ‘Tom Kundig: Complete Houses’
-
Avatr Vision Xpectra concept transforms cars into ‘emotionally intelligent companions’
Revealed in Munich, electric car maker Avatr’s futuristic Vision Xpectra is a car that is not only beautiful, but a true form of ‘emotive luxury’
-
Dacia wants to make small cars great again – all hail the new Hipster Concept
The best way to minimise energy use in all its forms is to downsize. The Dacia Hipster Concept is a smart way of making a practical car way more pint-sized
-
The Vanderhall Brawley GTS is a compact but mighty electric off-roader
Deliveries of Vanderhall’s Brawley GTS have started, bringing zero-emission trail driving to enthusiasts across America
-
The Aemotion is a tilting two-seater designed to zip through city traffic
An electric commuting machine, the Aemotion provides swift, safe and enclosed transport for two
-
You can now buy Toyota’s robotised micro-bus, with more autonomy coming soon
The Toyota e-Palette is the urban transport of the future, a multifunctional autonomous vehicle designed to cover several roles in the same day
-
Is the MG Cyberster an electrifying sports car or a hefty grand tourer? In truth, it’s a bit of both
MG returns to its roots, sort of, with a sporting two-seater that electrifies the sector and points to a bolder design future for the Chinese-owned brand
-
The Audi Concept C strives for clarity, drawing on the past to present a new face for the future
Launched this month in Milan, the Audi Concept C is a reboot of both design language and visual identity for the German manufacturer
-
Smart looks set to scale down again with its forthcoming ultra-compact electric city car
Ever since Smart was reborn as an all-electric brand, fans have mourned the lack of a true city car replacement. The wait is nearly over as the company announces the upcoming Smart #2