Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

New Car Body Pivots 360 Degrees So You Never Have To Back Up (Pic Too)

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU
 
matcom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 06:46 AM
Original message
New Car Body Pivots 360 Degrees So You Never Have To Back Up (Pic Too)


<snip>

TOKYO -- For drivers who find backing out of tight parking spots a hassle, Nissan has an answer: An egg-shaped car whose body pivots 360 degrees so that its rear end becomes the front.

The Pivo, shown Friday at a Tokyo Nissan showroom, is still an experimental model and probably will not go on sale publicly for several years.

"This is a cute car for people who have problems parking," said Nissan Motor Co. chief designer Masato Inoue.

Pivo is a three-seater electric car that looks like a big egg on wheels and whose body revolves in a complete circle while its wheels stay put.

Such moves are possible because Pivo's steering, wheels and other parts are controlled electronically by wireless, or electronic signals, not mechanical links between the cabin and the vehicle's chassis.

Pivo also allows the driver to see blind spots via cameras attached to the outside of the car.

http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/5039969/detail.html#
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 06:47 AM
Response to Original message
1. You drive the suppository, I'll take the scooter
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
matcom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 06:47 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. wonder if it comes in red
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Kellanved Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 06:52 AM
Response to Original message
3. Pivo is Czech for "beer"
Which is the probable source of inspiration for the designers.

Also, wouldn't be 180° a more practical value for the stated purpose?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Jamastiene Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 07:30 AM
Response to Original message
4. It looks like a cross between the Mars Rover and a submarine.
Edited on Fri Sep-30-05 07:31 AM by Jamastiene
I hope it works at least as well as the submarine. Forget the Rover...

I'd consider it if I had the money. It IS funny looking though. I would have to turn it around at stop lights when smart asses honk their horns at me when I don't gun the gas pedal right away when the light changes. I would enjoy being able to turn around a look at them funny before zipping off in my funny looking little egg car.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
GOPisEvil Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 07:33 AM
Response to Original message
5. Well...that's um...nice. I guess.
Technologically very innovative, though.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 10:18 AM
Response to Original message
6. kick
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tsakshaug Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 10:23 AM
Response to Original message
7. will it rotate
while driving on the highway--that would be cool!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Orsino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 10:27 AM
Response to Original message
8. Can we use this technology in a swivel chair...
...for the Oval Office? Could it turn * into a forward-thinking prez?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Rabrrrrrr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 10:28 AM
Response to Original message
9. But if you rotate 360 degrees, you're still backing up
One should rotate 180 degrees to avoid backing up.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mahatmakanejeeves Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-30-05 10:43 AM
Response to Original message
10. "...its rear end becomes the front..."
Edited on Fri Sep-30-05 10:52 AM by mahatmakanejeeves
Just like a lot of car drivers.

And....

We already got your dagnab turn-around-in-one-spot car, from right here in the good ol' US of A:

Jeep Hurricane

Hurricane 4x4

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Tue May 07th 2024, 03:33 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC