If Toyota has anything to do with it, in the near future, archaic conventions like “steering wheels” and “emotionless automobiles” will be a thing of the past. Instead vehicles will operate “by connecting physically and emotionally with the driver” just like some sort of majestic robotic horse. In a press release for its new FV2 concept vehicle, the automaker explained:
Rather than using a steering wheel, the Toyota FV2 is operated by the driver shifting his or her body to intuitively move the vehicle forward and back, left and right … Toyota envisions an ever-developing driver-vehicle relationship similar to the relationship of trust and understanding that a rider might have with his or her horse. By incorporating technology from the “Toyota Heart Project”, both the driver and the Toyota FV2 can grow together. The vehicle uses voice and image recognition to determine the driver’s mood, accumulated driving history to suggest destinations, and driving skill information to assist the user.
Soon, you may be able to own one of these sensitive futuristic steeds for yourself. Toyota plans on actually unveiling the FV2 later this month at the Tokyo Motor Show …
