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日本語/Japanese  Sat 10/06 22:50 JST
Soon we will see cars like this on the road in Tokyo as Nissan announced yesterday their new concept car called the Pivo2.

So whats so special about this car?
  • The cockpit can turn 360 degrees. Useful for when you can't be bothered to turn your head.
  • All four wheels can turn 90 degrees so that the car can move side ways - useful for parking (photos below.)
  • Comes with a robot with its head sticking out the dashboard just like R2D2 in an x-xing.
  • The robot speaks to you, fetches and reads your mail to you and wakes you up if you look sleepy.
  • The robot will sniff your fart and tell you whether you had too much spicy food last night.
  • It looks cool.
Pivo2 will be on display at the Nissan Ginza Gallery in Tokyo.
Update: Thanks to Hajime Saito for finding the video!
Via NihonCar and It Media.
Categories
Polls
V1lt R in US
Honda technician, baby.
Registered on 2007/01/05 13:22
Would not want to drive it. I would actually like to live.
(ID #58619) Posted on 2007/10/06 22:48
Yhamm in France
Registered on 2007/05/12 13:33
I wouldnt want one even if you pay me... it's seriously too ugly
(ID #58621) Posted on 2007/10/06 22:54
rayk in Australia
Pirate ninja
Registered on 2007/08/01 19:30
Hahaha that looks funky!

My biggest question is - where on earth is the engine?! And how fast can this thing go, atm it looks like something that will do a max of 60km/h. Doesn't look too safe either, like driving in an egg shell.
(ID #58622) Posted on 2007/10/06 22:54
skankywonders in California
Student
Registered on 2007/08/09 05:36
If I were an person with lack of attention, than yes, I would get the Piv2. ^^;
(ID #58623) Posted on 2007/10/06 23:04
iMM in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Publisher
Registered on 2007/07/08 14:32
Looks quite cool...not sure if I'd want to be in one in case of a carcrash though. Speaking og Nissan did you see the Nissan Pino (www.pinoshop.jp). It is the most Kawaii car ever. It has an enormous selection of acessories (seat covers, tissue dispenser, stuffed animal, matching handbags, stickers, cd cases). You can drag and drop your selection to the car and decorate it with stickers. Pino is a reference to Disney's pinocchio. aooarently it has been selling well.
(ID #58624) Posted on 2007/10/06 23:12
soonkiong in Kuching, Malaysia
Student
Registered on 2007/08/22 12:50
maybe in the far far future, when cars like this are the norm. then I might want to buy it.
(ID #58626) Posted on 2007/10/06 23:20
gusgus in cyberspace
web head
Registered on 2007/09/11 04:28
I'd love to drive one... I'd never get laid again...
(ID #58629) Posted on 2007/10/06 23:33
Tom in サウス フロリダ
Professional Student
Registered on 2006/12/25 13:44
There's no way I'd ever drive that thing!
(ID #58631) Posted on 2007/10/06 23:36
animes in cephiro
mahou kishi
Registered on 2007/01/23 14:30
perfect car for the city, most people here dont like it, because they dont know what is to be in big cities, big cars sucks in cities
(ID #58634) Posted on 2007/10/06 23:43
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
Hajime,
Thanks for the find - updated the post with your video.

Didn't catch any details regarding how fast it goes.
(ID #58635) Posted on 2007/10/06 23:48
hendrik in jakarta,indonesia
student
Registered on 2007/06/01 04:39
look like a pod with a wheel to me...
let's just hope the design get better in future
(ID #58636) Posted on 2007/10/06 23:48
JChow in Canada
Registered on 2007/09/14 14:06
it looks ugly >_> and from the looks of it i dont think anyone would wanna drive a sphere around town.... 
(ID #58639) Posted on 2007/10/07 00:01
windbell in Singapore/シンガポール, Tokyo/東京
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
Registered on 2006/12/25 12:20
If they designed the vehicle to be slimmer and cooler, won't mind getting it.

I prefer 3D holographic anime girls to be the robot instead, and with a nice voice ^^;
(ID #58640) Posted on 2007/10/07 00:04
graeble. in Rockport, Texas
looking up your skirt and down your blouse
Registered on 2008/05/23 06:14
i wouldnt be able to drive with a holographic anime character reading me my emails. i would probably end up going to my car to check my emails! 
(ID #196184) Posted on 2008/05/25 04:44
Ranth in Vegas
Researching drug to conceal weaknesses
Registered on 2007/09/15 13:32
i'd definitely drive that!
just to get ppl to wonder wtf it is!
(ID #58643) Posted on 2007/10/07 00:13
PoWeR in Your Spawn
Spawn Camper
Registered on 2007/08/28 05:12
more like a ride from an amusement park T_T lollersk8's...
(ID #58645) Posted on 2007/10/07 00:15
V1lt R in US
Honda technician, baby.
Registered on 2007/01/05 13:22
You know, I bet the Pivo2 runs of a large 400 Volt battery and an electric engine. No exhaust pipe, so it was have to be true.
(ID #58646) Posted on 2007/10/07 00:37
syrix in U.S.
student
Registered on 2007/03/21 09:30
I like my Camry just fine thank you lol.  Something like that here is begging to be scratched or stolen.
(ID #58650) Posted on 2007/10/07 00:55
Mac in Podunk, USA
IT monkey/consultant
Registered on 2006/12/29 03:14
As handy as that looks like it could be for parking, it doesn't look practical for too much else.  

I definitely don't want a car that's so controlled by computer, either.  My own car's anti-lock brakes and traction control have nearly killed me, and the rest of the electronics aggravate me severely.  Even if the computer were infallible, I would much prefer to be responsible for myself.  
(ID #58652) Posted on 2007/10/07 01:06
Huk in SG
Registered on 2006/12/24 11:46
fugly compared to the previous concept car (from cant remember which maker)
(ID #58654) Posted on 2007/10/07 01:11
Sam in San Francisco
Student
Registered on 2007/03/30 11:44
I wish they are ganna come out one in America.

Although they will need to make it biiger since people here are fat.

Wont be long some people will make a itasha out of it.
(ID #58656) Posted on 2007/10/07 01:24
Jayzai in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/05/24 01:01
it seems like its freaking slow lol.i wonder how fast this fragile car can go. A little damage dont to the computer might cause this whole car to malfunction and leaving the driver trap inside ? is this idea workable ? lol. Or its just for people who cant pass their license due to parallel parking ?
(ID #58660) Posted on 2007/10/07 02:30
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
i would love and don't mind drving one ^^

i really would like to see the "WTF!!!111!!shiftoneone" faces of the people who would see me driving that XDDD
(ID #58663) Posted on 2007/10/07 02:52
MK in World
Engineer
Registered on 2007/08/22 12:50
If all the wheels can turn at right angles, it should mean that there are no shafts running across the car. Therefore for it to move, it requires 4 independent motors on all wheels imo. Therefore maintanence for such a car will be troublesome as all motors have to sync properly for the car to move straight + the top speed of that car should be quite low due to the small engines. Not too sure if thats how it works.
(ID #58664) Posted on 2007/10/07 02:57
Registered on 2008/01/20 18:43
actually it's quite easy to control rotation speed on modern electric engines. What you do is you take the DC and convert it to AC (usually 3 phased since it provides constant power). Modern 3 phased engines are durable and have the really nice ability that 1 Hz = 1 round/sec (minus a small factor based on delivered force in the engine). Compared to using DC engines this results in smaller engines, less maintenance needed for the engines, more resistant to the environment (DC engines needs an airflow though them which can suck in rain and snow while AC are sealed) and higher efficiency (even when including the power loss in the DC->AC conversion). Controlling the wheels in order to drive like you want isn't an issue.

The car's ability to turn the "egg" is not due to lazy drivers not bothering to turn their heads but to improve visibility. Also if you parallel park you can turn the egg to a direction so you avoid leaving towards the street. It can also turn 180 degrees and that's a really quick way to turn the car around. You don't have to reverse in or out of any parking spots anymore.

The only thing that could prevent me from buying such a car (besides not having the need to drive in cities) would be safety but I'm sure Honda will think of something regarding safety before starting a production.
(ID #174940) Posted on 2008/04/24 23:33
Registered on 2008/01/20 18:43
I have a little update.
I saw some electric car developers on TV and they talked about a solution with engines inside the wheels to eliminate gearing and other weak spots and increase efficiency. However this would only work if they control the engines like I described. Surprisingly they estimate that the weight of the wheels would only increase 40 kg by doing this and since you save so much elsewhere you would get a really light car.
(ID #200207) Posted on 2008/05/30 04:49
Barsona in California USA
NEET (no, student...)
Registered on 2007/08/03 08:36
now, to make a Doraemon car out of it
(ID #58665) Posted on 2007/10/07 03:12
Bulat in Canada
Part-time otaku
Registered on 2007/04/04 14:26
These new car is a step closer to the ones you see in sci-fi movies than any other I have heard of so far. The little robot is kinda like an AutoReiv from ergo proxy. The car is quite hi-tech too. The only problem - seems like its waaaaaaay to slow
(ID #58666) Posted on 2007/10/07 03:33
L-Lawliet in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/07/27 17:52
Quite a useless invention imo. 
(ID #58667) Posted on 2007/10/07 03:52
AK-kun in Singapore
Writer.
Registered on 2007/06/19 22:48
Appeared on ChannelnewsAsia last night. Pretty interesting stuff.
(ID #58670) Posted on 2007/10/07 04:53
erdpilz
I like how Pivo is Czech for beer, and I bet you one this thing will not go on sale.
(ID #58671) Posted on 2007/10/07 05:14
ait_meijin in サイベリア
IT-オタク
Registered on 2007/02/04 19:58
@erdpilz: lol! And just the same thing in russian language. ^^ Funny car!
(ID #58675) Posted on 2007/10/07 05:39
CyruzDraxs in Kelowna, BC, Canada
Web Design & Development
Registered on 2007/09/11 09:43
It's definitely a step in the right direction, but it needs some improvement on the appearance.
(ID #58680) Posted on 2007/10/07 06:36
Zyg in Oklahoma
Student
Registered on 2007/04/17 16:06
if you paint it orange it looks like 	Cinderella's Pumpkin Carriage.. I'd rather buy a bump car instead of one of this xD
(ID #58682) Posted on 2007/10/07 06:46
CrazyAnimeTuga in Portugal
Student
Registered on 2007/01/03 02:12
This car isn't new, I saw it perhaps last year or two years ago in television in one of those car shows they do annually but can't remember if it was in Europe, America or Japan but I clearly remember this car. 
(ID #58685) Posted on 2007/10/07 09:38
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
CrazyAnimeTuga,
The car you saw before was the Pivo1 - this is the pivo2 with many upgrades and a step closer to being on the roads.
(ID #58691) Posted on 2007/10/07 11:08
chraen in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/08/23 21:36
I'd want to drive that on the Singapore roads ^^

And you're kidding about the fart part right?
(ID #58692) Posted on 2007/10/07 11:12
Chuck Gaffney in Selden, New York
Anime Store Owner, artist, Web master
Registered on 2007/07/29 00:29
I will so own that...and New York needs them to help with the traffic problems.
(ID #58694) Posted on 2007/10/07 11:53
Arekusu in The Lost Woods
Dai Gurren Dan member
[f] 
Registered on 2006/12/31 18:24
Hmm...not quite sure what to say...its a brilliantinvention, and it clearly works, so in that field it is very good, but i'm still trying to take in the whole image, i'm not sure weather its cool or strange...can something be cool and strange o.O? Hmm...i would drive one so long as i wasn't the only one driving one xD
(ID #58703) Posted on 2007/10/07 14:14
lin-da-kenobi in Long Beach
college student
Registered on 2007/08/16 02:56
well well new Tech! i wonder if that car will use a lot of gas o is it gonna be Hybrid?? luv the design, the robot @ the color too!!
(ID #58713) Posted on 2007/10/07 18:10
madoxtoke in USA T town AZ
student
Registered on 2007/07/21 14:26
dose any one know how fast it gos? 
looks really slow to me 
(ID #58788) Posted on 2007/10/08 09:28
madoxtoke in USA T town AZ
student
Registered on 2007/07/21 14:26
man i can't spell lol 
goes*
(ID #58789) Posted on 2007/10/08 09:29
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:36
Love the features of the car!  Now if only they'd make a bigger version of that.  That prototype is just too small. ^^
(ID #58871) Posted on 2007/10/09 02:11
XSportSeeker in Brazil
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/08/22 05:30
How's the speed on that? Looks kinda slow...
But anyways, I like it! Thing's probably never getting here.. just wouldn't work..

But like I said to some friends sooner today: I don't own a car... I own a vehicle. Meaning I'm not really into car stuff, car models, car tuning and stuff like that. I only have a car for transportation purposes only.
(ID #59006) Posted on 2007/10/10 03:46
jimmykitty in Oakland, Ca.
Comic Artist, writer
Registered on 2007/09/11 02:41
I love all the comments about what is clearly a concept car... not a real car.  Innovative ideas need to work first.  Style comes later.  I'm glad someone is thinking outside the box beyond the antique early 1900's engine and wheels box.  Whatever the final version is, or what car the final technology will end up in, I'm all for making a better mouse trap.
(ID #59067) Posted on 2007/10/10 20:59
Briant in Lafayette
Student
Registered on 2007/08/04 17:47
Cool ideas...but lame design. Also doesn't look like it'll protect you much in an accident...
(ID #59239) Posted on 2007/10/12 06:51
lostandfound in a UFO... catcher...
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10
I LOLed at the robot will tell you if you had had to much spicy food...
I think it looks like a toy more than a vehicle, but it does look cool and may even be the car of the future...
(ID #68985) Posted on 2008/01/08 15:07
VENTH in West Borneo
Student/ Freelance
Registered on 2007/11/14 13:26
car with Haro-like navigation? XD
(ID #166221) Posted on 2008/04/04 05:10
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