Toyota's new Tachikoma (/Fuchikoma)

[shikuz]

I came acrosss this picture today, and I must say that I find this new model has some resemblance to the Tachikomas and Fuchikomas designs in the manga as well as in the anime series.

Now, all we need is a cute AI to match with it, some high-caliber guns, missiles and a cmouflage system. ;)

http://grm.m.walla.co.il/archive/87536-12.jpg

[Gryshnak]

(From the Toyota press release)

"PM: the car that loves to socialize

The PM (Personal Mobility) is a one-person vehicle that takes the personalisation of the motor car to new levels. The driver sits inside a pod-like cabin that is equipped with twin pistol grip controls for by-wire steering, braking and acceleration. Power is from a rear-mounted brushless electric motor.

A visual communication system keeps the car in touch with other PMs so the vehicles can share information and "chat" about experiences. The PMs are social machines and can move in groups (platooning), one taking the lead and the others following at safe intervals on auto pilot. Only the car in front needs to have the destination programmed into its navigation system.

The PM also communicates different emotions, using LEDs to display different colours on its body panels, lights and rear wheels. The angle of the cabin and length of wheelbase adjust according to driving conditions, standing tall for walk-in access, dropping slightly for urban driving and fully extending for high-speed motoring. Manoeuvrability is aided by rear wheels that turn in opposite directions, enabling the car to rotate on the spot. The front wheels feature independent steering and a new hollow centre design."

You can see a whole load of images here (http://www.autonews.com/page.cms?pageId=356) (go to the bottom of the page and click on Toyota PM, you can't miss it)

[zxzxzxzxzxzx]

Yes, but does it go fast?
And will it pull the birds?
I don't see much room to move in that cabin

[Gryshnak]

Sorry man, it's a solo outfit - unless you're very cosy together :lol:

I notice that with all these reviews on the web, important stats like speed and range haven't been mentioned at all. Will it be able to keep up with the Sinclair C5, I wonder? :smash:

[Gryshnak]

If you want a car from the Tokyo Motor Show that belongs in GITS, it's gotta be the Honda Kiwami. The major would drive one of those (but she wouldn't make a big deal of it 'cos she's a girl).

Her boss would drive the Lexus LF-S.

Nobody would drive the Jeep Treo because... well goddamn, would you want to be seen around town in something like that? :heh:

[Nilrem]

that car looks like some liverpudlian has nicked the wheels off a C5, the cryo pods from the Nostromo (Alien), and the "eye" from a war of the worlds tripod and taken them down to Gary at the cut'n'shunt;)




i don't know about the Jeep Treo, it appeals to me in a some strange way, rather like the Reliant Robin (probably because i would be tempted to make all sorts of jokes about it).



and the Nissan Jikoo reminds me of something from Batman the Animated series