Pivo2

Sat 2007/10/06 17:38 JST
 50
 in Japan
1160 views

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.

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  • V1lt R
    V1lt R in US (Registered on 2007/01/05)
    Tow dispatcher

    Would not want to drive it. I would actually like to live.

    Sat 2007/10/06 17:36:08 JST (ID #58619)
    reply to V1lt R's comment
  • Yhamm
    Yhamm in France (Registered on 2008/08/15)
    http://fignews.gyapon.com

    I wouldnt want one even if you pay me... it's seriously too ugly

    Sat 2007/10/06 17:42:28 JST (ID #58621)
    reply to Yhamm's comment
  • rayk
    rayk in Australia (Registered on 2007/08/01)
    Pirate cat
    http://www.artbypavel.com

    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.

    Sat 2007/10/06 17:42:55 JST (ID #58622)
    reply to rayk's comment
  • skankywonders
    skankywonders in California (Registered on 2007/08/09)
    Student

    If I were an person with lack of attention, than yes, I would get the Piv2. ^^;

    Sat 2007/10/06 17:52:30 JST (ID #58623)
    reply to skankywonders's comment
  • iMM
    iMM in Kaohsiung, Taiwan (Registered on 2007/07/08)
    Publisher

    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.

    Sat 2007/10/06 18:00:06 JST (ID #58624)
    reply to iMM's comment
  • soonkiong
    soonkiong in Malaysia (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    2nd year Civil Engineering Student
    http://soonkiong.blogspot.com

    maybe in the far far future, when cars like this are the norm. then I might want to buy it.

    Sat 2007/10/06 18:08:42 JST (ID #58626)
    reply to soonkiong's comment
  • gusgus
    gusgus in cyberspace (Registered on 2007/09/10)
    web head

    I'd love to drive one... I'd never get laid again...

    Sat 2007/10/06 18:21:53 JST (ID #58629)
    reply to gusgus's comment
  • Tom
    Tom in サウス フロリダ (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    Professional Student
    http://code00101.googlepages.com

    There's no way I'd ever drive that thing!

    Sat 2007/10/06 18:24:01 JST (ID #58631)
    reply to Tom's comment
  • animes
    animes in cephiro (Registered on 2007/01/23)
    mahou kishi
    http://www.animedia.com.mx

    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

    Sat 2007/10/06 18:31:16 JST (ID #58634)
    reply to animes's comment
  • Danny Choo
    Danny Choo in Tokyo (Registered on 2006/12/11)
    CEO MIrai Inc
    http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/

    Hajime,
    Thanks for the find - updated the post with your video.

    Didn't catch any details regarding how fast it goes.

    Sat 2007/10/06 18:36:39 JST (ID #58635)
    reply to Danny Choo's comment
  • hendrik
    hendrik in jakarta,indonesia (Registered on 2007/05/31)
    student

    look like a pod with a wheel to me...
    let's just hope the design get better in future

    Sat 2007/10/06 18:36:56 JST (ID #58636)
    reply to hendrik's comment
  • JChow
    JChow in Canada (Registered on 2007/09/14)
    Student, ...someday...zzz

    it looks ugly >_> and from the looks of it i dont think anyone would wanna drive a sphere around town....

    Sat 2007/10/06 18:49:09 JST (ID #58639)
    reply to JChow's comment
  • windbell
    windbell in Singapore/シンガポール, Tokyo/東京 (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
    http://www.moeside.net/weblog

    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 ^^;

    Sat 2007/10/06 18:52:04 JST (ID #58640)
    reply to windbell's comment
    • graeble.
      graeble. in South Texas (Registered on 2008/05/23)
      lecherous wretch
      http://graeble.deviantart.com/

      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!

      Sat 2008/05/24 23:32:58 JST (ID #196184)
      reply to graeble.'s comment
  • Ranth
    Ranth in Vegas (Registered on 2007/09/15)
    Researching drug to conceal weaknesses

    i'd definitely drive that!
    just to get ppl to wonder wtf it is!

    Sat 2007/10/06 19:01:05 JST (ID #58643)
    reply to Ranth's comment
  • PoWeR
    PoWeR in Vancouver (Registered on 2007/08/28)
    Student
    http://www.xfire.com/profile/power1x1/

    more like a ride from an amusement park T_T lollersk8's...

    Sat 2007/10/06 19:03:39 JST (ID #58645)
    reply to PoWeR's comment
  • V1lt R
    V1lt R in US (Registered on 2007/01/05)
    Tow dispatcher

    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.

    Sat 2007/10/06 19:25:30 JST (ID #58646)
    reply to V1lt R's comment
  • syrix
    syrix in U.S. (Registered on 2007/03/21)
    student
    http://animesugoi.animeblogger.net/

    I like my Camry just fine thank you lol. Something like that here is begging to be scratched or stolen.

    Sat 2007/10/06 19:43:03 JST (ID #58650)
    reply to syrix's comment
  • Mac
    Mac in Podunk, USA (Registered on 2006/12/28)
    IT monkey/consultant

    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.

    Sat 2007/10/06 19:54:43 JST (ID #58652)
    reply to Mac's comment
  • Huk
    Huk in SG (Registered on 2006/12/24)

    fugly compared to the previous concept car (from cant remember which maker)

    Sat 2007/10/06 19:59:47 JST (ID #58654)
    reply to Huk's comment
  • Sam
    Sam in San Francisco (Registered on 2007/03/30)
    Student

    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.

    Sat 2007/10/06 20:12:26 JST (ID #58656)
    reply to Sam's comment
  • Jayzai
    Jayzai in Singapore (Registered on 2007/05/23)
    Student

    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 ?

    Sat 2007/10/06 21:18:56 JST (ID #58660)
    reply to Jayzai's comment
  • Henry
    Henry in /usr/bin/ (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    anime/cosplay events organizer
    http://www.cosplay.ph

    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

    Sat 2007/10/06 21:40:06 JST (ID #58663)
    reply to Henry's comment
  • MK
    MK in World (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Engineer

    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.

    Sat 2007/10/06 21:45:44 JST (ID #58664)
    reply to MK's comment
    • tymmur
      tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20)
      Mad scientist

      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.

      Thu 2008/04/24 18:21:21 JST (ID #174940)
      reply to tymmur's comment
      • tymmur
        tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20)
        Mad scientist

        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.

        Thu 2008/05/29 23:37:13 JST (ID #200207)
        reply to tymmur's comment
  • Barsona
    Barsona in Bay Area, California (Registered on 2007/08/03)
    NEET (no, student, AND employed min. wage)
    http://otterhangar.blogspot.com/

    now, to make a Doraemon car out of it

    Sat 2007/10/06 22:00:09 JST (ID #58665)
    reply to Barsona's comment
  • Bulat
    Bulat in Canada (Registered on 2007/04/04)
    Student
    http://gooddayforlemontea.blogspot.com/

    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

    Sat 2007/10/06 22:21:25 JST (ID #58666)
    reply to Bulat's comment
  • L-Lawliet
    L-Lawliet in Singapore (Registered on 2007/07/27)
    Student
    http://l-lawliet.nutang.com/

    Quite a useless invention imo.

    Sat 2007/10/06 22:40:43 JST (ID #58667)
    reply to L-Lawliet's comment
  • AK-kun
    AK-kun in Singapore (Registered on 2007/06/19)
    Costume Talent, Stormtrooper, Student, Writer
    http://akxd.wordpress.com/

    Appeared on ChannelnewsAsia last night. Pretty interesting stuff.

    Sat 2007/10/06 23:41:57 JST (ID #58670)
    reply to AK-kun's comment
  • ait_meijin
    ait_meijin in サイベリア (Registered on 2007/02/04)
    IT-オタク
    http://picasaweb.google.com/ait.meijin

    @erdpilz: lol! And just the same thing in russian language. ^^ Funny car!

    Sun 2007/10/07 00:27:29 JST (ID #58675)
    reply to ait_meijin's comment
  • CyruzDraxs
    CyruzDraxs in Kelowna, BC, Canada (Registered on 2007/09/11)
    Web Design & Development
    http://www.nerdculture.org

    It's definitely a step in the right direction, but it needs some improvement on the appearance.

    Sun 2007/10/07 01:24:55 JST (ID #58680)
    reply to CyruzDraxs's comment
  • Zyg
    Zyg in Oklahoma (Registered on 2007/04/17)
    Student
    http://reira.zuiken.net/

    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

    Sun 2007/10/07 01:34:38 JST (ID #58682)
    reply to Zyg's comment
  • CrazyAnimeTuga
    CrazyAnimeTuga in Portugal (Registered on 2007/01/02)
    Student
    http://animestuff.wordpress.com/

    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.

    Sun 2007/10/07 04:26:20 JST (ID #58685)
    reply to CrazyAnimeTuga's comment
  • Danny Choo
    Danny Choo in Tokyo (Registered on 2006/12/11)
    CEO MIrai Inc
    http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/

    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.

    Sun 2007/10/07 05:56:24 JST (ID #58691)
    reply to Danny Choo's comment
  • chraen
    chraen in Singapore (Registered on 2007/08/23)
    Student
    http://chraen.wordpress.com

    I'd want to drive that on the Singapore roads ^^

    And you're kidding about the fart part right?

    Sun 2007/10/07 06:00:18 JST (ID #58692)
    reply to chraen's comment
  • Chuck Gaffney
    Chuck Gaffney in Selden, New York (Registered on 2007/07/28)
    Anime Store Owner, artist, Web master
    http://www.chucksanimeshrine.com

    I will so own that...and New York needs them to help with the traffic problems.

    Sun 2007/10/07 06:41:18 JST (ID #58694)
    reply to Chuck Gaffney's comment
  • Arekusu
    Arekusu in The Lost Woods (Registered on 2006/12/31)
    Video Game Design Student / Monster Hunter

    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

    Sun 2007/10/07 09:02:29 JST (ID #58703)
    reply to Arekusu's comment
  • lin-da-kenobi
    lin-da-kenobi in Lima, Peru ^^ (Registered on 2007/08/15)
    medicine student & otaku

    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!!

    Sun 2007/10/07 12:58:54 JST (ID #58713)
    reply to lin-da-kenobi's comment
  • madoxtoke
    madoxtoke in USA T town AZ (Registered on 2007/07/21)
    student
    http://myspace.com/purdynolan

    dose any one know how fast it gos?
    looks really slow to me

    Mon 2007/10/08 04:16:01 JST (ID #58788)
    reply to madoxtoke's comment
  • madoxtoke
    madoxtoke in USA T town AZ (Registered on 2007/07/21)
    student
    http://myspace.com/purdynolan

    man i can't spell lol
    goes*

    Mon 2007/10/08 04:17:49 JST (ID #58789)
    reply to madoxtoke's comment
  • BeLe
    BeLe in Davao, Philippines (Registered on 2007/01/03)
    .NET/Web Developer
    http://scrumptious.animeblogger.net

    Love the features of the car! Now if only they'd make a bigger version of that. That prototype is just too small. ^^

    Mon 2007/10/08 20:59:45 JST (ID #58871)
    reply to BeLe's comment
  • XSportSeeker
    XSportSeeker in Brazil (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
    http://xspblog.com

    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.

    Tue 2007/10/09 22:34:54 JST (ID #59006)
    reply to XSportSeeker's comment
  • jimmykitty
    jimmykitty in Oakland, Ca. (Registered on 2007/09/10)
    Comic Artist, writer
    http://jimmykitty.com

    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.

    Wed 2007/10/10 15:47:51 JST (ID #59067)
    reply to jimmykitty's comment
  • Briant
    Briant in Lafayette (Registered on 2007/08/04)
    Student

    Cool ideas...but lame design. Also doesn't look like it'll protect you much in an accident...

    Fri 2007/10/12 01:39:10 JST (ID #59239)
    reply to Briant's comment
  • lostandfound
    lostandfound in Singapore (Registered on 2007/10/21)
    Hikikomori in the making
    http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/

    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...

    Tue 2008/01/08 09:55:08 JST (ID #68985)
    reply to lostandfound's comment
  • VENTH
    VENTH in West Borneo (Registered on 2007/11/14)
    Student/ Freelance

    car with Haro-like navigation? XD

    Thu 2008/04/03 23:58:58 JST (ID #166221)
    reply to VENTH's comment
  • Racer's Dream
    Racer's Dream in Curva Tamburello (Registered on 2009/01/27)
    90's F1 Afficionate and Anti-Otaku
    http://www.livestream.com/f1action

    Back in 1991, When Choo-san was British, the birth of the Nissan Zaurus Jr. Cup was product of the withdrawl of the Zaurus Concept car fom the drawing boards

    Tue 2009/07/28 20:20:57 JST (ID #688544)
    reply to Racer's Dream's comment

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