MIT’s Folding Car Can Fit Three Vehicles Into One Parking Spot
- Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:29pm by
Liz Klimas
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Originally posted on Gizmodo by Jamie Condliffe.
MIT’s city car concept has been in the pipeline for a long time, but until now there’s been nothing other than illustrations and half-size models. Now, however, the real thing is here, and it’s about to go into testing in Europe.
Called Hiriko, which means “from the city” in Basque, MIT’s folding electric car was unveiled in front of the European Union Commission chief in Brussels this week.
Watch the announcement (Note: Interviews in Spanish begin at 1:30 but switch back to English at 5:00):
The car isn’t designed to be a Smart competitor: it’s a bit cleverer than that. It folds in the middle to minimize the amount of room it takes up, and three of the vehicles can fit in a typical parking spot once folded.
Here’s an animation showing how this car works:
Check out this small-scale prototype of the car:
Making a car that folds throws up some problems. As a result, the Hiriko has an upward-swinging windshield instead of doors, and each of its wheels have dedicated drive motors, steering, braking and suspension to maintain space in the cabin. Those wheels mean it can turn on the spot, too.
The model that’s going into testing has a 60-mile range, and although at some point in the future it may be sold to individuals, the current model that MIT plans to roll out is based on sharing. Much like shared-bicycle projects popping up in plenty of big cities, these cars could be used for short periods of time by anyone signed up to the scheme. The eventual target cost is $12,500.
The first test project aims to kick off by 2013 in Vitoria Gasteiz near Bilbao, Spain, where 20 cars will be available. Apparently San Francisco, Berlin, Barcelona, Malmö, and Hong Kong have all sown interest in the scheme, too, but there’s no word on when it will spread to other cities.
[H/T The Verge, Engadget, Slashdot]
The Blaze added a video to Gizmodo’s original posting.
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Afungi
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:52pmIf you put a titanium 2 inch diameter pipe role cage and a 1 inch pipe down the front between the driver and passenger you could have a sprint car type inclosure. This could be done without interfering with design. You should use a 5 point safety harness I do not think speeds greater the 40 mph would be safe. Because short wheel base and light weight would make it real squirely and a big truck passing at high speeds would send it spinning. There is no possibility of energy absorbing crumple zones. I guess you could air bag he whole exterior of the car. If you use compartment seam burst to absorb the energy it might be survivable. The steering is a real problem since it is computer controlled a failure there would mean loose of control at high speeds. That would really suck and your sitting on top of acid batteries that give off hydrogen gas. Having the tops blow off the batteries or being under a overturned unit pinned in getting a sulfuric acid bath could really make for a bad day.
Report Post »eric1963buick
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:09pmCongratulations, they invented the golf cart! Wait a minute, where do you put the clubs?
Report Post »LoisLane1951
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:16amItty Bitty Car vs 18-Wheeler equals people gravy.
Report Post »I’ll keep my big heavy Merc, thank you very much.
TheJeffersonian
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:55pmNot exactly for the same purpose though, are they? Besides, I don’t pick a car with the intention of plowing it into an 18 wheeler.
Report Post »ShirouZhiwu
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 7:57pmTo be fair, occupants of 18 wheelers have trouble surviving being hit by 18 wheelers. There is just a hugh amount of energy involved.
Report Post »deppitydog
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:04amRemember the ‘flying monitor’ safety car?? This is it’s DADDY…………gimme a break
Report Post »JShope
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:02amIt’s a convertible.
If you’re in an accident with anything besides a bicycle, the car converts into your coffin.
Report Post »the old man
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:05amI like the concept. I would like it even more if it had a 500 mile range, and was solar powered.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:35amNo headlights,no mirrors,zero safety yes it’s a rolling coffin
Report Post »Quiata
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:47amSuuuuuper cool! Would love to be able to buy one at IKEA.
Report Post »Robert Hawk
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 5:53amI have never been a supporter of vehicles which rely upon high currency and high voltage as a propulsion unit. There is simply no enough evidence as to their effect upon humans related to the exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR). Further their operation is completely dependent upon the government.
Report Post »These vehicles limit travel distance and extend waiting times (charging) and provide for the government a complete package to control our every personal movement. Further they could be harmful to humans who experience their vast radiation levels. Put this together with the issue or massive landfill issues related to battery disposal and its simple to observe the concerns related to electric vehicles as a viable mode of transportation. Hydrogen seems a much more effective solution for the United States.
Mr.Fitnah
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 5:36amWhat could possibly go wrong?
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:40amCool. The higher ingress/egress level would also help older drivers.
Report Post »fluter
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:17amGay!
Report Post »handsmcml
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:13amAs part of a PRT system, this type of car would be a great idea. It would be very useful in a big city. It just doesn’t fit into the American dream of mobility and the open road.
Report Post »ValdostaMRA
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:57pmI’ll never be able to pick up a hot chick with that thing.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:53pmCute. Unsafe. But cute.
Report Post »calisun
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:42pmstupid
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