This Electric Two-Seater Will Drive Itself Home
General Motors (GM) may have jumped on the SUV bandwagon when it was profitable a decade or two ago. But it's development of the EN-V points to a more eco-friendly technology-driven future. The small compact is designed mainly for urban use, scooting around on two wheels linked to the same axis. The 3 kilowatt engine promises a top speed of 25 MPH and a maximum range of 25 miles.
That doesn't sound like much, until you realize that up to four EN-Vs bunched together takes up the same space occupied by a standard family sedan. And a high top speed becomes virtually useless when you have to navigate bad traffic. The EN-V is easy to park and, sharing the same mechanics as the Segway, will be ultra nimble. Unlike a four-wheel car that requires room to turn, the EN-V can spin on its own vertical axis, literally allowing full 180 turns in the same space.
The EN-V runs on a 3 kilowatt electric motor, which draws power from a lithium-ion battery pack, and accommodates two passengers. Three models —the Xiao, the Jiao and the Miao—will be available, but the differences between them are primarily aesthetic.
But what would really make the EN-V sell like pancakes is its pledge of complete autonomous driving. Through GPS hardware, sensors, and cameras, as well as network communications with other vehicles, the EN-V will be able to drive you to work, park itself, pick you up, then drive you home on its own. At least, that's what GM's promising.
No word yet on pricing and availability, or even if GM plans to offer the same so stay tuned!
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Imagine being able to do everything while driving except driving....wait people do that now. I guess the change would mean that Will Smith was right and the I Robot future is coming!
In rural areas this thing is useless, but in urban areas this promises a revolution. If everyone drives at a continuous speed, traffic would go so much smoother. The only problem that this would only be a solution if ALL traffic follows a strict speed and I don't see this thingy becoming universal.
And kudos to the engineers, this thing actually looks good on paper. Its design is a little bit on the childish side, but certainly futuristic and it has a certain flair to it. Specs look equally impressive. Not impressive as in big, but impressive as in just right. If GM had understood big
If it can drive itself. Would that mean I can get drunk while it drives me between bars?
Does this mean men can receive BJ more frequently inside their vehicle?
This is just great.
We've been shown/promised cars that can drive navigate by themselves quite a bit in the past, I don't see this making it to market with these specs.
The only places I can think of that have a 25mph speed limit is in school zones. Most speed limits are 35-55. Kind of impractical except for the rich people who drive golf cards around there neighborhoods, and golf carts are probably much more energy efficient. Cool concept, great machine, fun toy, but wrong speed means probably a no go.
Could you imagine that thing getting t-boned blowing a red light? Even if you were hit by an ev1 you'd probably be killed.
Three models —the Xiao, the Jiao and the Miao
Sure does not sound American.
Should it not be called the John wayne,Ronald Regan and Charlton heston? ruaurrr
Oh boy, another concept car that will never see the light of day.
No... those are dead old white guys.
Skywalker, Spock and Ripley would be better choices.
Thing is... Sid Mead has drawn cars like this for decades. Artist behind many sci-fi movies include blade runner, TRONG, Aliens, etc
That thing is ugly as sin.
No... those are dead old white guys.Skywalker, Spock and Ripley would be better choices.Thing is... Sid Mead has drawn cars like this for decades. Artist behind many sci-fi movies include blade runner, TRONG, Aliens, etc
Trong?
It's like someone crushed a smartcar and then somehow made it even more ugly.
I bet this is what i am currently working on as my final year project. It is really very hard to get the Neural Networks/PID controler to drive this thing in a complicated world. but hey, lets see how it goes? this is the future!
Looks like we're the person's in the 'WALL-E world'.
I can see it now. A future where pedestrians outpace the automobile. Oooooohh... the future is slowly creeping upon us.
Looks like we're the person's in the 'WALL-E world'.
Especially Americans!
But this is not the future that I want. I want to keep polluting and driving recklessly with my cat-less EVO GSR. Automation is great, but not in cars.
Life would be meaningless if you cant even drive your car.
Looks great for urban usage, but the remaining problem is what happens when a regular sedan, nevermind an SUV, rear ends you...or any type of accident could have much greater consequences.
It looks like a souped up Smart Car.
The vehicles use would be very very limited.
The two in the first pic look like Optimus Prime's feet...
wait, it drives it's self home? hope that there isn't remote button for it. if there is, it could give a new meaning to "where my car".
Awesome! Drive to bar, get drunk, car drives you home!
Seems like it could work in Urban situations but they need to up the speed a bit. It would also only work if the city put in dedicated roads for these types of vehicles (which would have to be standardized). Kind of like a personal L Rail or Bus (no weirdos bugging you)
If anyone missed, "The small compact is designed mainly for urban use..."
So you won't (and shouldn't) see these on the city or even highway. It's not safe, it's too slow (obviously) and it only seats 2 (can't seat a full family of 4).
If the price is under $10k, I think it's fair. I still wouldn't get one though.
Drives its self home? just a little speck of dirt covering the camera turns this from a smart car to a jam filled frisbe as it misses the stop light
Thanks but no thanks
The only places I can think of that have a 25mph speed limit is in school zones. Most speed limits are 35-55. Kind of impractical except for the rich people who drive golf cards around there neighborhoods, and golf carts are probably much more energy efficient. Cool concept, great machine, fun toy, but wrong speed means probably a no go.Could you imagine that thing getting t-boned blowing a red light? Even if you were hit by an ev1 you'd probably be killed.
I would love to see what would happen to one that was hit by a heavy sedan like Chrysler 300 Or a Dodge Charger. Wonder if the sedan would even notice?
If anyone missed, "The small compact is designed mainly for urban use..."So you won't (and shouldn't) see these on the city or even highway. It's not safe, it's too slow (obviously) and it only seats 2 (can't seat a full family of 4).If the price is under $10k, I think it's fair. I still wouldn't get one though.
You can get an Aveo for under 10K. It doesnt look any better, but at least it has more room and it can seat more than one fat person.
the xiao, the jiao, the miao ? hahaha wtf ?!
is this somesort of chinese car ?
[citation][nom]TommySch[/nom]Especially Americans!citation]
Why pick on America? They rank as the 9th fattest nation in the world. New Zealand, the UAE, UK, Mexio, over 40+ countries that have 60% or more of their population classified as obese(a BMI of 30 or more). The US was in 74%. Why single out the US when there are 4 countries that are in the 90%+ range.
Just admit you dont know why you hate the US, but it seems to be the popular opinion so you are going to jump on the bandwagon.
Good luck in the snow with one of those.
[citation][nom]TommySch[/nom]Especially Americans!citation]Why pick on America? They rank as the 9th fattest nation in the world. New Zealand, the UAE, UK, Mexio, over 40+ countries that have 60% or more of their population classified as obese(a BMI of 30 or more). The US was in 74%. Why single out the US when there are 4 countries that are in the 90%+ range.Just admit you dont know why you hate the US, but it seems to be the popular opinion so you are going to jump on the bandwagon.
Except for the fact the U.S has like 100x their population and is 50x larger as a whole. Gee if 3 out of 4 people in your house is fat, then 75% of your house is fat! Doesnt really mean much considering the small sample. But if 75% of your entire city is fat, counting millions of people, then you have a real problem.