New Car Body Pivots 360 Degrees So You Never Have To Back Up (Pic Too)

[matcom]

<snip>

TOKYO -- For drivers who find backing out of tight parking spots a hassle, Nissan has an answer: An egg-shaped car whose body pivots 360 degrees so that its rear end becomes the front.

The Pivo, shown Friday at a Tokyo Nissan showroom, is still an experimental model and probably will not go on sale publicly for several years.

"This is a cute car for people who have problems parking," said Nissan Motor Co. chief designer Masato Inoue.

Pivo is a three-seater electric car that looks like a big egg on wheels and whose body revolves in a complete circle while its wheels stay put.

Such moves are possible because Pivo's steering, wheels and other parts are controlled electronically by wireless, or electronic signals, not mechanical links between the cabin and the vehicle's chassis.

Pivo also allows the driver to see blind spots via cameras attached to the outside of the car.

http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/5039969/detail.html#

[DS1]

1. You drive the suppository, I'll take the scooter

[matcom]

2. wonder if it comes in red

[Kellanved]

3. Pivo is Czech for "beer"

Which is the probable source of inspiration for the designers.

Also, wouldn't be 180° a more practical value for the stated purpose?

[Jamastiene]

4. It looks like a cross between the Mars Rover and a submarine.

I hope it works at least as well as the submarine. Forget the Rover...

I'd consider it if I had the money. It IS funny looking though. I would have to turn it around at stop lights when smart asses honk their horns at me when I don't gun the gas pedal right away when the light changes. I would enjoy being able to turn around a look at them funny before zipping off in my funny looking little egg car.

[GOPisEvil]

5. Well...that's um...nice. I guess.

Technologically very innovative, though.

[DS1]

6. kick

[tsakshaug]

7. will it rotate

while driving on the highway--that would be cool!

[Orsino]

8. Can we use this technology in a swivel chair...

...for the Oval Office? Could it turn * into a forward-thinking prez?

[Rabrrrrrr]

9. But if you rotate 360 degrees, you're still backing up

One should rotate 180 degrees to avoid backing up.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

10. "...its rear end becomes the front..."

Just like a lot of car drivers.

And....

We already got your dagnab turn-around-in-one-spot car, from right here in the good ol' US of A:

Jeep Hurricane

Hurricane 4x4