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

Yahoo News Photos ^

[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.

[escapefromboston]

The future is now..and it's stupid!

Interesting cars but what the hell happened to my flying cars?!?! and jet packs!? and my flying car that folds up into a suitcase like on the jetsons??

[My2Cents]

"Guy like!"

[ArGee]

It could be marketed as a replacement for, "The Jaws Of Life," because it can cut through anything to rescue trapped people.

My series concern? Imagine something with that cutting power that has 0 inertia. "Hey, man, you just chopped the back end off my car. Watch where you're swinging that thing."

"Oops, sorry. I didn't mean to ... Ugh! sorry about your head, too."

Shalom.

[sevry]

Concept vehicle design is always about thinking way out on the edge.

I realize that sub-sub-compact cars are street legal. But this thing is barely a wheelchair. And the only way to make it freeway legal would be to make it into - a car. That means, DMV, eye tests, coordination tests, Grandpa you almost hit that pedestrian tests? So, still no help for the elderly, but maybe the disabled?

[ArGee]

Interesting cars but what the hell happened to my flying cars?!?! and jet packs!? and my flying car that folds up into a suitcase like on the jetsons??

That's all you care about? What about the robot that will watch my kids a'la Rosie?

Now THAT's what I'm talkin' about.

Shalom.

[adam_az]

Ah don't trust them kamikize furriner row-bots, no sir.

Next thing you know they'll be sellin' dirty panties from vending machines and making see-through terlits.

(oh wait, they already do...)

[Wolfstar]

no...MAGNETICALLY ATTRACTED.

Now THAT is a smart idea.

[Preech1]

Here we go...

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

No thanks, I'll wait for my gerwalk.

A Battleoid!

I built my Revell Robotech "Vexar" 20 years ago and he has a permanent place on my desk at work. Right next to "Thoren".

[jriemer]

That was painful

[onyx]

ROTFLOL!
Too funny.

[Wolfstar]

Hope these things aren't in my future 40 years from now when I'm at the rest home.

Without a doubt, practical applications of these types of concepts will be in our future. Heck, maybe some of them might even help keep us out of rest homes.

[onyx]

I am letting Petronski speak for me in post #9.
Thanks for the ping, Wolfstar. So funny.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

(Ping to pic.) Uh oh. Somebody's gonna be in a bad mood when he sees this...

[Wolfstar]

Apparently, those smaller robots can actually play music and musical instruments. Of course, so can other consumer products. But I suppose it might be nice to have such a robot following me around the house playing my favorite music. Then, one day, I could turn around quickly, fall over it...and need one of those i-foots or i-units to get around in.

[Chemist_Geek]

This technology could lead to a revolution in mobility aids for the disabled, funded by the "early adopters" with money to burn on geeky toys.

Hear, hear!

[Wolfstar]

I really, really, really want my personal flying unit.

[transhumanist]

Clearly, the chick with the sunglasses is controlling King Gidorah...

[Petronski]

If you ever see me strapping on one of those things, shoot me.

And when the alien bursts from my chest with a blood-curdling scream, shoot it too.

[Chad Fairbanks]

(Ping to pic.) Uh oh. Somebody's gonna be in a bad mood when he sees this...

Yeah. Something tells me that the next time I see him, saying "Oh YEAH? Well, YOU can easily be replaced by a robot!" wouldn't be the smartest thing ;0)