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The far-out future is here: Toyota's new concept vehicles out-do science fiction (great pics)
Yahoo News Photos ^

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.



TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; Japan; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: auto; automobile; autoshop; cars; concept; conceptcars; science; scifi; toyota; vehicle
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To: Wolfstar
It's called "product placement" in today's movie industry.

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.

101 posted on 12/03/2004 12:20:49 PM PST by ArGee (After 517, the abolition of man is complete)
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To: housewife101

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.


102 posted on 12/03/2004 12:21:21 PM PST by Wolfstar (Counting down the days to when the new White House puppy arrives.)
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To: My2Cents
Man, I hope we don't have to wear clothes like this in the future.

I think that's from Monica Lewinsky's new fashion line. Note the built-in knee pads.

Shalom.

103 posted on 12/03/2004 12:21:34 PM PST by ArGee (After 517, the abolition of man is complete)
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To: Wolfstar
    +    =   
104 posted on 12/03/2004 12:22:35 PM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts (All I ask from livin' is to have no chains on me. All I ask from dyin' is to go naturally.)
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To: Wolfstar

i-idiots


105 posted on 12/03/2004 12:22:37 PM PST by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
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To: Mad_Tom_Rackham

Obviously, the Australians and the Japanese have different visions of the future.


106 posted on 12/03/2004 12:23:08 PM PST by Wolfstar (Counting down the days to when the new White House puppy arrives.)
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To: TalonDJ

Like this?

http://uk.download.yahoo.com/ne/fu/oa/eurcncs185030.mpg


107 posted on 12/03/2004 12:24:19 PM PST by Eepsy
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To: Wolfstar

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).


108 posted on 12/03/2004 12:24:46 PM PST by katana
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To: Oblongata
Will they not rest until they have found a way to conquer the world with robots?

Resistance is futile!

Shalom.

109 posted on 12/03/2004 12:24:57 PM PST by ArGee (After 517, the abolition of man is complete)
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To: My2Cents
Ah, shouldn't that be "Skin is out"-side?

LOL! At least most under-dressed folks between 18 and 25 are nice eye candy. After that, it's all downhill, sigh.

110 posted on 12/03/2004 12:25:47 PM PST by Wolfstar (Counting down the days to when the new White House puppy arrives.)
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To: mountaineer

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!"


111 posted on 12/03/2004 12:26:44 PM PST by jriemer (We are a Republic not a Democracy)
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To: ArGee

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.


112 posted on 12/03/2004 12:28:21 PM PST by RandallFlagg (FReepers, Do NOT let the voter fraud stories die!!!! (Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name))
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To: Wolfstar

no...MAGNETICALLY ATTRACTED.



awesome. :)


113 posted on 12/03/2004 12:28:41 PM PST by cdbull23
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To: Wolfstar

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.


114 posted on 12/03/2004 12:29:06 PM PST by Dr. Zzyzx
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To: Oblongata
I have never seen such incredibly useless while still incredibly complicated machines in my life.

Ah, but someday they won't be useless...

Lt. Commander Data


115 posted on 12/03/2004 12:30:45 PM PST by Wolfstar (Counting down the days to when the new White House puppy arrives.)
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To: Petronski
The future is queer.

Now that was a chucklah.

116 posted on 12/03/2004 12:30:58 PM PST by Hemingway's Ghost (Spirit of '75)
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts

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...


117 posted on 12/03/2004 12:32:40 PM PST by Wolfstar (Counting down the days to when the new White House puppy arrives.)
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To: Wolfstar

They're making toys?

118 posted on 12/03/2004 12:32:45 PM PST by sevry
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To: katana
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).

Who knows...maybe it's coming to a battlefield near you before long.

119 posted on 12/03/2004 12:33:54 PM PST by Wolfstar (Counting down the days to when the new White House puppy arrives.)
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To: jriemer; mountaineer
...how many able bodied people here think a machine should do the walking for you...

Well, it'll do until we can transport ourselves from place to place.

120 posted on 12/03/2004 12:35:20 PM PST by Wolfstar (Counting down the days to when the new White House puppy arrives.)
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