Posted on 12/03/2004 11:30:33 AM PST by Wolfstar
Yahoo News caption: Toyota's new concept vehicle i-unit is driven in during its unveiling in Tokyo, Dec. 3, 2004. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
The i-unit, which resembles a wheelchair, is designed to help people get around. It will be displayed at an exposition in Aichi, central Japan, next year. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
The compact sized vehicle, which runs on lithium-ion batteries, enables the passenger to move among other people in an upright position in low speed mode, while the vehicle reclines in high speed mode to lower the centre of gravity and ensure stable handling, the company said.
It sure was nice of Wal-Mart to give us these drinks just for saying Wal-Mart a couple of times in the movie.
Shalom.
In all seriousness, I'm not sure these concepts are solely designed for the disabled. I think it's more a matter of demonstrating advances in robotics and battery technology. Any consumer products that might eventually be developed would obviously have to be more practical that these concepts. Concept vehicle design is always about thinking way out on the edge.
I think that's from Monica Lewinsky's new fashion line. Note the built-in knee pads.
Shalom.
i-idiots
Obviously, the Australians and the Japanese have different visions of the future.
Armor plate this baby, mount twin 50's with a TOW missile array and you might have something that would sell (at least to the DOD).
Resistance is futile!
Shalom.
LOL! At least most under-dressed folks between 18 and 25 are nice eye candy. After that, it's all downhill, sigh.
The Captain: "By a raise of hands, how many able bodied people here think a machine should do the walking for you even if it costs millions of yen?... Well you're wrong!"
I'm series.
A lightsabre blade shouldn't be hard to figure out. have a stream of positrons emit in a, "Waterfall," pattern from the hilt. A positron blade would cut through any matter, except another positron blade, because they're positively charged electrons; whereas matter is surrounded by negatively charged electrons.
We can do this with electrons, why not positrons?
(Slight problem with radiation from the effect, but it'll work)
It could be marketed as a replacement for, "The Jaws Of Life," because it can cut through anything to rescue trapped people. Concrete. Steel. Glass. Anything made of matter can be severed with it.
no...MAGNETICALLY ATTRACTED.
awesome. :)
Last week on the freeway I saw a production car (don't know what kind it was) that looked just like the "cars of the future" pictures I saw as a kid in the 60's. I thought to myself, hey, we finally caught up to the future! Hope these things aren't in my future 40 years from now when I'm at the rest home.
Ah, but someday they won't be useless...
Lt. Commander Data
Now that was a chucklah.
Hey, at least the i-unit is an advance on the Segway. The i-unit has a seat, four wheels, a joystick, a windscreen, and it lets you sit up or recline. Of course, it's a heck of a lot bulkier than the Segway, but they're working on it...
They're making toys?
Who knows...maybe it's coming to a battlefield near you before long.
Well, it'll do until we can transport ourselves from place to place.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.