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Nissan is following up its 2005 journey into weirdness, the Nissan PIVO concept, with an updated version that'll be on display in Tokyo. The innovatively-named, Isetta-doored PIVO 2 is a shaplier and more colorful take on its rotating-cabin predecessor, and this time around, the PIVO 2's driver gets some company in the form of the "Robotic Agent," a disembodied monkey head on the instrument panel that speaks English and Japanese and is able to help out with things like directions.
Compact Lithium Ion batteries power in-wheel motors, and the PIVO 2's wheels themselves rotate 90 degrees as well. Tight parking spot? Turn the passenger compartment sideways, turn the wheels, and slide right in or out. Then aim the cabin in the direction you want to go, straighten the wheels, and you're off, chatting with Robot Monkey Friend all the way. Welcome to Japan.
Our Tokyo team will attempt to befriend the Robotic Agent when they meet it in person next month. Hit the "Read" link for Nissan's public preview site.
UPDATE: Video after the jump!
[Source: NISSAN]
PRESS RELEASE:
THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC FOR NISSAN
- Pivo 2 concept turns heads and itself in Tokyo -
TOKYO (Oct. 5, 2007)-Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today unveiled the Pivo 2, an advanced electric concept car that will debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Pivo 2 builds on the popularity of the first Pivo, shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. Powered by advanced Compact Lithium-ion Batteries and featuring a unique rotating cabin - meaning no reverse gear required - the first Pivo became a cult hit at shows from Beijing to Geneva.
Pivo 2 Concept Car
Reasons to love Pivo 2:
* Electric power from Nissan's advanced Lithium-ion batteries
* A robotic agent to share every trip
* 'Revolutionary' technology with 360 degree turning cabin and 90 degree turning wheels
Pivo 2 takes the idea of an environmentally friendly electric urban commuter vehicle and delivers fun, functionality and a unique relationship between the car and driver. Pivo 2 is powered by advanced Compact Lithium-ion Batteries and employs 'by-wire' technologies for braking and steering.
Where the first Pivo, with its fully rotating cabin design, made reversing obsolete, the Pivo 2 takes that easy mobility concept to a new level. Each of the four wheels are powered by Nissan's advanced electric In-wheel 3D Motor and can turn through 90 degrees to allow Pivo 2 to drive sideways as well as forward.
Thanks to the highly innovative Robotic Agent, you are never alone in the Pivo 2. With conversations possible in Japanese and English, the Robotic Agent has been created to work with Pivo 2 to make every journey less stressful. It provides a unique interface through which to communicate with Pivo 2 on everything from basic vehicle functions through to the nearest available parking.
Pivo 2 will be on display at the Nissan Ginza Gallery in Tokyo, for an exclusive public sneak preview ahead of the Motor Show.
PIVO 2 PUBLIC PREVIEW EVENT
Venue: The Nissan Ginza Gallery
5-8-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Dates: Oct. 13, 2007 (Sat) to Oct. 14, 2007 (Sun)
Time: 10:00-20:00
Pivo 2 will then be exhibited - together with four other exciting production and concept vehicles at the Tokyo Motor Show, starting October 27.
PIVO 2 Website
http://www.nissan-global.com/PIVO2/
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gary @ Oct 5th 2007 8:50AM
Yes, they are from another planet...
Menice @ Oct 5th 2007 8:57AM
'Danger Will Robinson' only in a deeper fat man voice.
can you imagine the thing gets a short and your left spinning in that ball while whizzing down the road.
testa di cazzo @ Oct 5th 2007 8:59AM
that looks like cinderella's pumpkin carriage...
Richard @ Oct 5th 2007 9:17AM
"Hal, open the airlock."
"I'm sorry Dave, I cannot do that."
compy386 @ Oct 5th 2007 9:18AM
I think 2001 would have lost some of it's edge if HAL looked like that thing. Funny though :).
Richard @ Oct 5th 2007 9:22AM
You know what, that thing reminded me of the little pods that they went outside the ship in.
Thanks for the compliment.
:)
aman @ Oct 5th 2007 9:17AM
I'm starting to get tired of Nissans unbelievably guly and futuristic models that they will never come out. Just what are they trying to prove?
nissanfreak87 @ Oct 5th 2007 10:42AM
It's called a concept car. Essentially technologies and design themes used in this car will relate to other cars they produce in the future. Whether it be the nav system you can talk to, the rotating pod, or the electric motors, something useful will probably come from this. Either that, or the designers just got bored.
Sometimes they like to do off-the-wall stuff, and seeing as this is more of a Japanese market vehicle, I think it's a pretty cool concept. Would I drive it, maybe, but I'd rather have the GT-R.
change the monkey to a penguin and I'm in, haha
aman @ Oct 5th 2007 9:53PM
nissanfreak87 @ Oct 5th 2007 10:42AM
It's called a concept car. Essentially technologies and design themes used in this car will relate to other cars they produce in the future. Whether it be the nav system you can talk to, the rotating pod, or the electric motors, something useful will probably come from this. Either that, or the designers just got bored.
Sometimes they like to do off-the-wall stuff, and seeing as this is more of a Japanese market vehicle, I think it's a pretty cool concept. Would I drive it, maybe, but I'd rather have the GT-R.
change the monkey to a penguin and I'm in, haha
agreed, and understood, but why did it have to be so ugly?
Mal Fuller @ Oct 5th 2007 9:45AM
This thing would be ticket proof on one-way streets.
Calebe @ Oct 5th 2007 10:17AM
Monkeyyyyy???? Bad Monkey, Bad!!!
Guy @ Oct 5th 2007 10:43AM
video of the new pivo 2 in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Ijsfg4tx4
Jackson @ Oct 5th 2007 12:13PM
I love how the Robotic Monkey Friend makes R2-D2 chirping noises. :)
Yggdrasilly @ Oct 5th 2007 11:03AM
"Hiiii! You're in a JOHNNYCAB(tm)! nyuck-nyuck!"
tanooki2003 @ Oct 5th 2007 12:35PM
LMFAO!!! OMG I almost forgot about that on Total Recall.
Mark @ Oct 5th 2007 1:30PM
LOL, Nissan has copied the video game SuperMonkeyBall.
CalGuy @ Oct 5th 2007 1:36PM
Sure wish Nissan would just bring back some of their other quirky models that did make it to production.. the Be-1, Figaro, Pao, Scargo (as well as the Cube, though it really was mass produced) were totally fresh and got me to look at Nissan for the first time since the 510.
teoo @ Oct 5th 2007 5:01PM
it's quite useless, but it has some great features. the name is great. In Slovenian language Pivo means Beer... and there's no way, that can be bad:)
Littlecarrot @ Oct 5th 2007 10:56PM
Better not import it to the Czech Republic-as "Pivo" means "beer" in Czech.
Mike @ Oct 11th 2007 8:04PM
It appears that the LCD screens installed in the A-pillars on PIVO I are not included in this version of the PIVO.
Cameras where located on the outside and the obstructed view was shown on the LCD, thus rendering the A-pillars "invisible".