10-09-2007, 03:47 PM
Nissan Motor Co. has recently unveiled the Pivo 2, an egg-shaped concept car with a cabin able to revolve 360 degrees, eliminating the need to reverse, media reported Tuesday.
The three-seater electric car has a fully rotating cabin that makes going backwards obsolete, since the driver can turn to face the direction he needs to go.
"With this easy-to-handle car, you can feel comfortable while driving," said Masahiko Tabe, senior manager of the advanced vehicle development group at Nissan Motors.
The device, able to converse in English and Japanese, can help an angry driver overcome road rage or wake you up if you're prone to dozing behind the wheel, the car makers said.
"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.
Unlike the first Pivo, it has no axles. Instead it has four separate electric motors, allowing the wheels to turn further than a conventional car.
The Pivo 2, as yet not for commercial sale, will be exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show near the capital from Oct. 27.
The three-seater electric car has a fully rotating cabin that makes going backwards obsolete, since the driver can turn to face the direction he needs to go.
"With this easy-to-handle car, you can feel comfortable while driving," said Masahiko Tabe, senior manager of the advanced vehicle development group at Nissan Motors.
The device, able to converse in English and Japanese, can help an angry driver overcome road rage or wake you up if you're prone to dozing behind the wheel, the car makers said.
"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.
Unlike the first Pivo, it has no axles. Instead it has four separate electric motors, allowing the wheels to turn further than a conventional car.
The Pivo 2, as yet not for commercial sale, will be exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show near the capital from Oct. 27.