News homepage
Honda's designers have been flexing their mental muscles for the LA Design Challenge to create the Helix, a 'car' that reacts to the owner's DNA over time for the ultimate in personalisation.
The concept is of a vehicle made from 'adaptive polymers' that can alter shape, colour and mechanical properties in response to the owner's genetic code. It is designed to change over time, becoming more attuned to its owner.
Continuing the DNA analogy the Helix has three main configurations; A, B and Z. A is short and wide for agility in twisting city streets; B is long and low for more spread-out environments where high speeds are possible; while Z maximises space efficiency with a double-deck seating arrangement that keeps the car's footprint as small as possible. The three configurations are shown in the varied urban settings of Rome, Los Angeles and Tokyo along with three hypothetical owners.
Honda talks about how bio-receptors allow the Helix to 'micro adjust' to the needs of its user and the environment where it is used. Inspired by the human genome, bio-technology and environmental forecasting the Helix will apparently be equally at home in America's open spaces and 'the congested skies of Japan'.
It all seems pretty radical but who knows what will be possible in the future? The illustrations depict the Helix as part of Star Wars-style future environments, which look pretty cool to us.
John Lambert - 10 Nov 2009
|
|
|
09 Mar: Last year average new car CO2 emissions fell by the greatest margin ever. The average new car in 2009 produced 149.5g/km, down 5.4% compared to 2008's results. The figure represents a 21.2% drop since data was first collected in 1997.
01 Mar: The Skoda Superb Estate is on sale now with prices starting at £17,715. It has 633 litres of luggage space, which can be increased to 1,865 litres by folding the rear seats. Engines range from a 104bhp, 1.9-litre diesel to a 256bhp petrol V6. [more...] [photo]
24 Feb: Jeep's latest special edition, the Grand Cherokee Overland Tech, will go on sale from 1st March. Priced at £33,450, 115 examples will be built. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, leather seats and a 276-watt sound system.
More headlines...
|
|
|
