Concepts

MIT intends to revolutionize GPS navigation by making it friendly and predictive, using a friendly robot helper to anticipate your needs. The Affective Intelligent Driving Agent (AIDA) is a robot head on an articulated neck, reminiscent of movie robots from the 1980s, that mounts in the center of the dashboard.

It incorporates an expressive "face" that can smile, look sad, show warning signs, and even wink at you. AIDA was developed as a collaboration between the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab, MIT's SENSEable City Lab, and Volkswagen Group of America's Electronics Research Lab.

AIDA's expressive behaviors are designed to endear the device to you as it helps in your daily navigation. The robot learns your daily commute and which areas you frequent for which purposes.

For example, if you always head to a particular district in your city around dinner time, it will assume you like to eat dinner there. After it memorizes your commute, it will automatically plug in your route to work when you get into the car on a weekday morning. If you go to a hotel for a dalliance every Thursday at noon, it will probably give you a wink and a knowing grin as it maps the route for you. … Read more

Just as carmakers develop electric cars, motorcycle manufacturers also see the writing on the wall, showing off a collection of electric bikes at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The Tokyo Motor Show has always played host to a substantial display of motorcycles, and this year is no different--except that the highlights of the show all have a green angle. Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki all brought concepts to the show that could spell the future of riding, and possibly a new way for future commuters to get to work.

Check out photos of electric scooters and motorcycles at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. … Read more

Although a leader in hybrid cars, generally conservative Toyota has seemed uninterested in developing electric cars--until now. At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota unveiled the FT-EVII, an electric car concept.

In putting together the FT-EVII, Toyota used its own off-the-shelf technologies, such as the iQ platform and components from its Synergy hybrid system. Although not on sale in the U.S., gasoline- and diesel-powered Toyota iQs are sold in Japan and the U.K. For the power train, Toyota went to lithium ion batteries for the FT-EVII, as opposed to the nickel-metal-hydride power pack from its current hybrid vehicles. … Read more

Check out the following video that showcases some of the hottest green concepts (and one hot sport compact) from the Tokyo Motor Show in the round. Featured in the video are the Toyota FT-86 concept, the Honda CR-Z, the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi's PX-MiEV concept, and the Mazda Kiyora concept.

The video is narrated in Japanese, so we've no clue what's being said. However, we've reported on most of these cars already, just hit the links above for more info.

If you like what you've been hearing about Nissan's Leaf electric car, but think it looks too much like a futuristic Versa 1.6 for your tastes, then maybe Nissan's other zero-emissions concept will pique your interest.

The Nissan Land Glider concept is a tiny electric vehicle that features a computer controlled steering system that leans the car into the turns. The pilot driver is seated centrally in the cabin with space for a single passenger directly behind in the narrow cabin. At least, it looks like that's where the passenger would sit. Although the photos clearly show a driver's four-point harness, none of the pictures show a rear seat belt.

The steering wheel has been replaced with what looks like a flight yoke. The rear view mirrors have been replaced by cameras and monitors. The dashboard definitely looks like it belongs on a vehicle of the future.

Details about the drive train are scarce, but we do know that it will be motivated by all-electric power. Expect the battery technology to be similar to that of the Leaf, albeit on a smaller scale. With its narrow profile and potentially lighter weight, we presume that the Land Glider will get by with less horsepower than the Leaf requires.

The Land Glider will be displayed at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, alongside the Leaf production concept. Stay tuned for more details as they emerge. In the meantime, check out the embedded video of the Land Glider in action after the jump.… Read more

Toyota is calling the FT-86 concept, which is due to be introduced at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, a production concept. Which means that it is more than likely that we'll see the neo-hachiroku (or something similar it) on showroom floors in the near future. But, what if you can't wait for the rumored 2011 launch? Well, just fire up your PS3 and take the FT-86 for a spin in the upcoming Gran Turismo 5 racing sim. (Unless, of course, GT5 is delayed again. In which case you may come out better just waiting for the car itself.)

Check out the video after the jump to see the Toyota FT-86 concept in the digital sheet metal in a Gran Turismo 5 promo spot.… Read more

After months of rumors and rumblings, Toyota has released photos of its small sports car collaboration with Subaru, the Toyota FT-86 Concept. What follows is a very exciting concept from the world's most boring car company.

The FT-86 is a compact 2+2 that seeks to recapture the spirit of the 1980s AE86 Corolla GT-S (better known as the Hachiroku) of drifting fame. While most of the details are still mostly shrouded in mystery, we've got a little bit of meaty info. Under the hood, we should find a variant of Subaru's 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine--dubbed … Read more

Suzuki is an automaker that we don't hear too much from in the U.S. However, when we do hear from it--such as with the two SX4s we've tested--we generally like what it has to say. So when we got word that a plug-in hybrid version of one of the smallest Suzukis, the Swift, would be on display at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, our interest was piqued.

The Suzuki Swift plug-in hybrid can be classified as a series gas-electric hybrid or an extended-range electric vehicle, depending on who you ask. The front wheels are turned by … Read more

The Honda EV-N will be on display at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show as a part of Honda's "HELLO! Zone" electric vehicle showcase. While details about the power train are still fuzzy and vague, we do know that it's all-electric and is cute as a darn button. Here's what else we know:

The EV-N appears to be a futuristic homage to the Honda N 360s and N 600s of the 1960s and '70s. It is a microcompact with a short wheelbase and seating for four passengers (only two of whom will probably be comfortable). Solar … Read more