GM Unveils Networked Electric Mini Cars

suraj.sun writes "GM introduced its Electric Networked Vehicle prototypes, one third the size of a typical car, as a way to reduce big urban auto emissions and traffic congestion. The EN-V relies on dynamic stabilization technology similar to that of the one-person Segway scooter to keep its balance, and can be operated autonomously or under manual control. In autonomous mode the EN-V is designed to use high-speed wireless connectivity and GPS navigation to automatically select the fastest route, based on real-time traffic conditions gleaned from the Web or some other networked source of traffic information."

Comments

Re:Why?

[DerekLyons]

Why does it have "dynamic stabilization technology" instead of a possibly passive third wheel?

Lower weight, lower rolling friction, probably a lower parts count, probably cheaper to manufacture.
 

Wouldn't it be simpler, cheaper to manufacture and maintain, and much thriftier in its energy use?

Maybe, maybe not.

Re:GM's eyes are bigger than its stomach ...

[plopez]

Yeah, it's just as ridiculous as building an airplane that can fl itself, as if it had some sort of autopilot.
And maybe they'll put computers in them *some day* that can do most of the work on landing and take off. After all, the computer would have to be the size of a skyscraper.

Seriously, in an HOV lane this would be easy and a reason to buy one. You could eat breakfast, talk on your cell phone (or text), do your makeup etc. in comfort.

Re:The race for most boring vehicle is on

[Princeofcups]

To be honest I'd rather ride a freaking bicycle than this boring enclosed driverless segway.

As would I, but this is perfect for when the weather does not accommodate bike riding.

Future tech used to be cool, fast and just plain kick ass.

Popular Mechanics sensationalist predictions that never come true are kick ass and exciting. This is reality, and I think it's pretty exciting.

But now its just suck ass, partly due to the whole global warming doomsday environmentalist 'green' 'anything you do is a sin' mentality & paranoid obsession with safety that has been going around.

The fact that this is not a rocket car is due to environmental change? I'm not seeing the logic there.

There should be less of this type of slow driverless segway and more Tesla Roadster, Wrightspeed X1 or even a practical 4 seater without worthless gimmicks like integrated twitter and facebook.

Because those things costs more than the gross domestic product of most small towns around the world. This is a possible design for real people to use, not millionaires.

There is no reason at all why electric cars should be slow, ugly and boring or even as impractical as this thing is.

It's very practical for people trying to get to work, or to the train station, or the local shops. It's not practical for hyper speed travel across country. It's not meant for that.

Basically where is my flying car and get off my lawn.

Your flying car is still not practical. Please go get an engineering degree and help design it if that is what you want. Until then, I'll be happily zipping around waving "ciao." And I don't have a lawn. What a stupid waste of land. Plant some trees already.