That is an installment in a collection of posts wanting again on present vehicles that we really feel deserved a little bit extra consideration than they acquired. In case you have a suggestion for a Forgotten Idea subject, please shoot us a line or depart a remark under.
Toyota Pod
First Proven: 2001 Tokyo Motor Present
Description: Subcompact mobility lounge
Gross sales Pitch: “It is aware of how you are feeling.”
Particulars:
First seen on the 2001 Tokyo Motor Present, the Toyota Pod Idea was half design examine, half motoring therapist. Designed in cooperation with Sony, the Pod included quite a lot of options we would now affiliate with Amazon Alexa.
The small upright automotive featured entrance doorways hinged on the entrance, and rear doorways hinged on the rear, an association that created an enormous contiguous entry port when each doorways had been opened concurrently. Inside, seating got here by the use of upright stool-style chairs, every of which rotated towards the closest door for simpler ingress and egress. Mounted to every seat was one thing akin to pill laptop. The tablets had been for use for a quantity helpful duties, together with creating procuring lists.
And, utilizing quite a lot of sensors—together with a heartrate monitor–the Pod was, per Toyota, capable of discern the driving force’s temper, and show it through a collection of mood-appropriate colours displayed through exterior LED lighting (see pics under). And, had been the temper sufficiently optimistic, the Pod’s taillike rear antenna would wag.
Toyota shared little relating to the Pod mechanically, although we do know the bubbly idea was powered by a 110-horsepower 1.5-liter engine.
Forgotten Idea: Ford Probe III
CG Says:
Toyota’s automotive temper ring has lengthy since been forgotten, although the designed-in procuring characteristic was definitely predictive, although the corporate was mum on most of the specifics, reminiscent of how procuring lists change into fulfilled orders.
The temper lighting stuff is foolish, although it makes for enjoyable auto-show eye sweet. And, since 2001, we’ve seen loads of coloured LED lighting programs make it into manufacturing vehicles, although typically the inside, and usually with no declare to symbolize the emotional effectively being of the driving force.
Cool Vehicles From Dangerous Motion pictures
Toyota Pod Gallery
(Click on under for enlarged photographs)
