Toyota Pod

Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show late last year, the Pod concept vehicle is collaboration between Toyota and Sony that takes the relationship between car and driver to a new level. The Pod is able to provide this feedback through a series of sensors that detect and store data on the driver’s preferences. This extends well beyond musical taste, with sensors detecting variations in driving conditions, appropriate use of steering wheel, accelerator and brakes, the pulse and the perspiration level of the driver – the Pod even employs a face recognition sensor to detect if the driver is falling asleep. For example the mini pod picked up on a the name of a band whilst you were at home and this name is subsequently mentioned during conversation in the car, the Pod will immediately begin surfing the Internet to download and play their songs.

The ’smart’ capabilities of the Pod also extend beyond the realm of entertainment – the driving data collected by the car can be compared with pre-recorded ‘expert’ data and the driver given warnings or encouragement through text on the Pod’s monitor. The car also features a hands only ‘drive-by-wire’ control system enabling steering, braking and acceleration to be operated through a single controller.

The colour changing LED panels on the front that make up the Pod’s smiling face turn yellow with happiness as the driver approaches – we’re not sure exactly what you have to do to make it wag its tail – and orange during normal operation when all systems are running smoothly. Two more colours also appear – blue for sadness when the fuel runs out or the Pod is ‘neglected’ by a long period of misuse, and red for anger when braking heavily or driving aggressively. And if the Pod is happy and it senses that its occupants are happy it will capture the moment by taking your photograph.

Although still at concept stage, the prototype of the Pod can be driven and is technically ready for practical use – the drawback is that its operation is dependent on communications infrastructure such as the radio DSRC (dedicated short range communication) system, so your chances of replacing Rover with a four-wheeled pet in the not too distant future will come down to where you live.