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.

[Wolfstar]

Should have added a sarcasm tag to the post.

That's OK. I wanted to respond to you in a serious mode, anyway. The thread's been a lot of fun, but I thought it worthwhile to also point out the remarkable technology in these concepts. Frankly, I suspect the space suits, Vegas-style lighting effects, and such, are designed more to create a buzz than for any other purpose.

Toyota's corporate culture is a very serious and sober. I know. I worked for them on a contract for a short while. I have no doubt they fully intend to take this technology from flashy concepts to practical products at some point in the near future. I'm particularly intrigued by the lithium-ion battery technology they used to power vehicle of that size.

There already are much more simple, yet roughly comparable machines in used in rehab facilities to help paraplegics and quadraplegics stand on their own two feet and to excercise their muscles. The next exciting breakthrough is going to be when advances in battery and robotic technology make it possible to create a kind of suit or full-body prosthesis to enable people confined to wheelchairs to get up and walk.

[fortunecookie]

LOL!! Ok, if you insist! And what's with the dorky space age suits?

I can't get this image and it's theme song out of my head:

Go, Speed Racer, go-o!!

Oh, those wacky peeps at Toyota!

[boris]

Excuse me, but are not the legs articulated backwards? Does it walk like a chicken?

[boris]

"But the i-unit concept car has possibilities."

Imagine it in the rain...

[Petronski]

Oh great, now I have THAT caught in my head.

[Wolfstar]

Boris, when I said it had possibilities, I didn't mean in its current configuration. I'm referring more to the remarkable advances in robotics and the lithium-ion battery technology. As for it walking like a chicken, I suspec that design relates to center of gravity and balance.

Concepts are just that -- flashy, edge-of-technology designs. Someone once said that progress cannot be made without divergence. The best concepts lead in new directions precisely by diverging from the safe, familiar and currently practical.

[RandallFlagg]

And what's with the dorky space age suits?

"Dorky?"

[philman_36]

And here we have the grandfather of powered armor and battlemechs.
Exactly what I was thinking. Probably been working on that thing for ten years. Upgradable units as well.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

I hope it does look like that the other stuff is ugly as hell

At least the road warrior had a classic ride that wheelchair looking thing is a death trap waiting to happen !

[csvset]

Hmmmm... Woman in a boat, with a hood .

[Wolfstar]

Woman in a boat, with a hood.

Woman in a boat, with a hood and wheels, and metallic clothing, and weird kneepads, and...

[fortunecookie]

Hee hee!

[fortunecookie]

Oh-oh, I'd better hide! LOL! Ok, not dorky. But...cool? I can just see myself getting fitted for one of those!

[eleni121]

I like to drive but I'd rather have Johnny drive me

[Lx]

Wasn't the first picture the diva from the Fifth Element?

[MHGinTN]

I'm waitin' for that. Ripley had it made! Robotic assist mechs are already available, to some degree.

[MHGinTN]

Did you ever see the last page of the last issue?

[bwteim]

The future is queer.

It's probably the long week, but at first glance it looks like a cross between a dental chair and a Maxi Pad that belongs to Mrs. King Kong.

[RandallFlagg]

I was really young. Acroyear was my fav.

Alas, I haven't seen the issue after Acroyear's homeworld issue.

[housewife101]

full-body prosthesis to enable people confined to wheelchairs to get up and walk.

I am not "confined" to a wheelchair, but I find this concept very interesting. Sure would be nice to have some sort of device to allow those in wheelchairs to see "eye to eye" with others. Just that aspect would mean so much-I do know they have some devices that can sort of do that.Thanks for the post.