Robocop meets car design

I'm all for design students out there because they generally come up with some outrageous looks at the future of the automobile. This story on students that developed concepts for the American Iron and Steel Institute is just the latest example. But my main problem with all these designs is that they're so forward thinking how much practical application do they have? What is the real purpose of creating such crazy looks at machines on four wheels that could never be manufactured today? Although lets give props to Darren Chilton who's Defender concept, shown here, was inspired by the classic film Robocop.