Pod People: Volkswagen Slipstream Is Mix Between Car, Segway and Star Trekish Pod

[JohnG]

The Slipstream is Volkswagen's idea for transport in 2057: a pod that changes from futuristic car on the road, with the driver laying down, to Segway-like vertical transport in a cities so...

More... (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/pod-people/volkswagen-slipstream-is-mix-between-car-segway-and-star-trekish-pod-309649.php)

[pam]

This isn't really about the Segway, but I thought it was neat, so I moved it here, rather than deleting it, just in case someone wanted to comment.
Pam

[bystander]

This isn't really about the Segway, but I thought it was neat, so I moved it here, rather than deleting it, just in case someone wanted to comment.
PamIf anyone is having difficulty reading the tiny lettering on the composite picture storyboard, here is a link to a 617 kb, 1200x1200 version.

http://news.windingroad.com/photo-gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12995

You can just make out the lettering if you load it into a photo editor and use smooth enlargement by about 2x - 4x.

Once you read all the tiny lettering, you find out that this isn't so much about the PT, as it is about VW's capitalization on "Stanley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA_Grand_Challenge#2005_Grand_Challenge)", the autonomous vehicle that won the DARPA off-road challenge in 2005.

The Slipstream concept vehicle is completely automated, the rider does not drive it. The vehicle provides entertainment for the rider while operating. An elaborate data network coordinates all the vehicles operating on the roadway. So it is unlike the PT, as the vehicle does not take motion cues (that is, weight shifting) to move about. It does have a voice interface though, so the rider seems to be relegated to back-seat-driver status. (heh)

Strange thing is, the tech sites showing the pictures don't mention Stanley, but they do mention Segway. Go figure. Guess memories are short.