Last year, just prior to declaring bankruptcy, GM debuted its Project P.U.M.A., a Segway-like device that moves about on two wheels controlled by the body movements of the driver. But unlike the Segway, you sat in the P.U.M.A.. While it didn’t save GM from bankruptcy, the idea apparently held some weight with the designers, who have unleashed a second salvo of these odd pods.
The Jiao, Miao, and Xiao pods, unveiled in Shanghai this morning, have each been designed on a different continent. They are supposed to be a clean, efficient, high-tech alternatives for congested city travel. But would anyone actually buy one?
Called the EN-V, or Electric Networked Vehicle, it is supposed to be personal transportation, rather than a car. So don’t expect to go on an extended vacation in such a device. The three different designs are supposed to evoke different expressions. The blue one, Jiao, represents Pride and was designed by GM’s Australia arm, Holden. The black one is called Miao, which means Magic, was designed in GM’s California offices. Finally there is Xiao, which means Laugh, and was designed in Europe. Three different answers to the same question; how do we deal with the inevitable urban congestion? GM seems to think people will want to travel in pods.
[Editor's "Note": In some way, those quirky names seems appropriate... considering it would take an effort of tremendous 'magic' to convince me that riding in them would allow me to keep my 'pride' while not being 'laughed' at. Badumpbump.]
Each of the pods weighs about 1,100 pounds, and is driven by an electric motor with a range of 40 miles. For city people, that is more than enough methinks. Each pod is crammed with high technology like WiFi, GPS, collision avoidance sensors, and apparently GM thinks these vehicles will one day drive themselves. And why not? Up to five can fit in a single parking space, and imagine a line of people pods cruising alongside of you on the freeway. It might give some people pause when they go to buy their next car… in twenty or thirty years (if they ever make these at all).
While comfort and room could be a problem for those of us with wide shoulders, these pods could solve many problems with infrastructure. Large, wide roadways could be replaced by smaller paths. Garages and parking lots could be downsized accordingly too. They won’t suck up as much power as an electric car, but would still be plenty of transportation for many people, especially commuters. While I don’t expect to see these on the road anytime soon… maybe one day.
The world needs fresh ideas, even from old companies. While I’m not completely sold on the idea, at least GM is trying something… different.
Check out the full press release on the next page.
Source: GM
PDF Pages: 1 2
About Christopher DeMorro
Reminds me just a little bit of this guy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davros
Reminds me just a little bit of this guy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davros
Exterminate! Exterminate!
Exterminate! Exterminate!
The design makes me wonder about the likelihood of these things rolling end over end down the roadway in an attempt at a panic stop.
The design makes me wonder about the likelihood of these things rolling end over end down the roadway in an attempt at a panic stop.
I would love to have one of this today (assuming they are efficient). And, with all the respect for the Editor, I don’t think that “pride” should be our primary concern when talking about cars and/or transportation. A car is nothing more than a means to go from one place to another. Or at least that’s what it should be in my mind.
Hugo,
I’m the Editor. In some ways I actually agree with you, but with an attitude like that, there is no way we’ll ever convince people to shift to cars that are sustainable. Most people don’t view personal mobility as just a way to get from point A to point B. If that were the case, certainly it would infinitely more efficient if all cars came in one color and were made at the same factory. But, like it or not, we live in a capitalist global economy, and choice, competition, and marketing are the name of the game. As long as we have those, there’s no way that your sentiments will reflect the will of the market. We need to work within the system and create sustainable vehicles that people can take pride in owning and will brag about to their friends.
I would love to have one of this today (assuming they are efficient). And, with all the respect for the Editor, I don’t think that “pride” should be our primary concern when talking about cars and/or transportation. A car is nothing more than a means to go from one place to another. Or at least that’s what it should be in my mind.
Hugo,
I’m the Editor. In some ways I actually agree with you, but with an attitude like that, there is no way we’ll ever convince people to shift to cars that are sustainable. Most people don’t view personal mobility as just a way to get from point A to point B. If that were the case, certainly it would infinitely more efficient if all cars came in one color and were made at the same factory. But, like it or not, we live in a capitalist global economy, and choice, competition, and marketing are the name of the game. As long as we have those, there’s no way that your sentiments will reflect the will of the market. We need to work within the system and create sustainable vehicles that people can take pride in owning and will brag about to their friends.
@ Hugo
For many people, you are right a car IS just a means to get from point A to point B. But not everybody. Some people really do take pride in their vehicles, because they grow an emotional attachment. I am attached to my cars, and my life would be a lot different without them.
@ Hugo
For many people, you are right a car IS just a means to get from point A to point B. But not everybody. Some people really do take pride in their vehicles, because they grow an emotional attachment. I am attached to my cars, and my life would be a lot different without them.
Yeah, they look pretty ridiculous — like we need to avoid walking across plazas and malls… Sheesh.
Sincerely, Neil
Yeah, they look pretty ridiculous — like we need to avoid walking across plazas and malls… Sheesh.
Sincerely, Neil
I see a place for them in the daily commute. I get motion sickness on the bus, but am ok if I drive, go figure. I’d just keep a nice vehicle for the weekend or trips. Right now I have an efficient mid-sized car for carpooling, and an Avalanche for towing/road trips. Look at it this way, I love my sweat pants, but I wouldn’t wear them on a date.
I see a place for them in the daily commute. I get motion sickness on the bus, but am ok if I drive, go figure. I’d just keep a nice vehicle for the weekend or trips. Right now I have an efficient mid-sized car for carpooling, and an Avalanche for towing/road trips. Look at it this way, I love my sweat pants, but I wouldn’t wear them on a date.
Nick,
I understand that. What I’m saying is that that’s what it is wrong…Many people (I think less now than before) look at cars as something other than a means of transportation…That, at least to me, has more to do with advertisement than a real need for people to have different and personalized stuff…
And, don’t get me wrong, I like my cars so much that when the time came to change my car I didn’t sold it to someone without making sure that the car would be well taking car of (The reasoning part of my brain tells me that’s stupid, but we are not only reason).
Nick,
I understand that. What I’m saying is that that’s what it is wrong…Many people (I think less now than before) look at cars as something other than a means of transportation…That, at least to me, has more to do with advertisement than a real need for people to have different and personalized stuff…
And, don’t get me wrong, I like my cars so much that when the time came to change my car I didn’t sold it to someone without making sure that the car would be well taking car of (The reasoning part of my brain tells me that’s stupid, but we are not only reason).