New Japanese Vehicle: Hallucigenia01

RisingSunofNihon ^ | June 11, 2006 | Dr. Bill Belew

[G. Stolyarov II]

I admit, I wasn't overly impressed with Yamanaka Shunji's various designs until I read the specs on this one.

It is an eight-wheeled vehicle that he and Chiba Institute of Technology's Furuta Takayuki designed.

Nissan also pitched in to see how robotics and automobile technology can get along.

The vehicle can make a 360-degree circle, move diagonally, and - get this - even climb stairs.

I am guilty, too. I have often accused the Japanese of not being very creative. They are amazing at copying and approving on previous designs -- and then mass-producing them while maintaining quality.

But my hat is off to Yamanaka Shunji and his team for this new critter. I wonder if my great-grandkids will actually get to drive one -- or maybe, by then, fly it.

What do you think?

[G. Stolyarov II]

Another technological achievement has been reached by creative, industrious entrepreneurs and inventors. This is also yet a further example of the global economy at work in bringing us ideas from other countries that might dramatically improve our lives in the future. See Dr. Belew’s blog at RisingSunofNihon

[battlegearboat]

Sounds like a hoofer.

[Zeppo]

Dang! I always wished that my car could climb stairs...