Last October at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda unveiled Puyo. This little bubble car is another futuristic concept that threatens to blow gas guzzlers out of the water - or at least off our streets.
Apparently the word 'Puyo' is Japanese onomatopoeia for the sensation of touching the vehicle's soft body - though I'm not entirely sure what that means. The car itself was designed to bring together clean, safe and fun functionality in a minimalist, environmentally-friendly way.
On the outside it's a seamless, curvy box that's supposed to remind you of a favorite pet. It has a soft gel body and is luminescent to reflect the vehicle's state of being, thereby promoting a more intimate relationship between car and owner. (Does this mean it turns green when it's sick?) And you've got to love those glowy headlights.
The interior is designed to be people-friendly. Driving is controlled by a joystick, the control panels rise up when the vehicle starts, and the roof is transparent. Sounds like R2D2 with interior seating and power steering, or Hamtaro with an engine. RM
Images: Honda
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