Japan’s Nissan Motor Co. unveiled last week a new version of its egg-shaped Pivo concept car, which can drive sideways and has a small robot to assist with navigation or calm down angry drivers. Pivo 2 builds on the popularity of the first Pivo, which became a cult hit at shows from Beijing to Geneva.
The Pivo 2 three-seater car is powered by Nissan’s advanced Compact Lithium-ion batteries, and it utilises “by-wire” technologies that use electric signals for steering and braking. Like its predecessor, which was unveiled in 2005, the new Pivo incorporates revolutionary technologies. One allows the cabin to revolve 360 degrees thus eliminating the need to reverse. The other does away with axles (in difference to its predecessor) by powering each of the four wheels through separate electric “In-wheel 3D Motors”, a feat allowing the driver to turn the wheels 90 degrees for easy sideways and parallel parking.
To make urban driving not only functional and more sustainable but also fun, the Pivo 2 is equipped with a round-eyed robot head sitting on the dashboard. The bot has cameras that can tell when a driver is getting sleepy. “You look tired. There’s a coffee shop 500 metres ahead on the left,” it told a driver with drooping eyelids during a recent demonstration. It can also nod or shake its head, helping to improve the mood of irate or glum drivers. In addition, it provides a unique interface through which to communicate with Pivo 2 on everything from basic vehicle functions through to the nearest available parking. The robot is bi-lingual (English & Japanese).
The Pivo 2 will be on display at the Nissan Ginza Gallery in Tokyo for an exclusive public sneak preview ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show near the capital from October 27.
[see also Concept Carz]
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