Essential Motoring 101

The latest edition of the Tokyo Motor Show 2007 is at Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan. This year’s offering features many cars and bikes that are projections of what future vehicles will be taking space at your carpark (or porch) Seems like this time around, the event is showcasing vehicles that are green and environment-friendly, and of course, women-friendly.

The younger brother, Pivo 2

The first Pivo back in 2005

 

One such futuristic car is the enhanced version of Nissan’s Pivo, the Pivo 2. The Pivo is a concept car was first introduced at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. The car boasts a 360 degree rotating cabin on a chassis of 4 wheels, where the need to park at tight spots will be the thing of the past - and best suited for women drivers too! It is an all-electric car that runs on lithium-ion battery, an environment keeper. The Pivo 2 seats only three passengers including driver.

Looks like a crab with a huge body

Can the seats stand the test of driving more than 2 hours?

A game console? The monitor and the head next to it is no child’s play, ok.

This time around, the Pivo 2 features a Robotic Agent (RA)- a robot head with a pair of almond-shaped eyes mounted on the dashboard. It generally helps the driver by interacting using vocal speeches. The cute RA either nods or shakes the head when ‘talking’ to the driver. I find it very pleasant and safe to have an assistant like the RA to help park the car. Besides providing information needed for driving operations, RA is programmed to “cheer up” or “soothe” the driver, depending on the situation.This interactive interface forges feelings of trust and affection between the driver and car that promotes safe, enjoyable driving.

Here’s lookin’ at you, Pivo 2! :))))

This is the forward-moving stance. Er, side-ways stance… arrggh!

In driving mode, or is it parking mode??

I personally think the Pivo 2 is THE car for women nowadays. It helps them in giving the right advice before making a turn or simply taking the driver to the exact location. Or perhaps it would attract the men, surely if the RA is replaced with a supermodel… Will it make it to our shores some time soon? I dare not think so. The RA’s head would topple off its mounting with all the humps and unevenness of our Malaysian roads!

No price tag on the Pivo 2 as yet. Not that I know of, though.