Nissan’s EPORO robot cars won’t have accidents
My source called these EPORO robot cars, but I don’t know if I feel comfortable calling these things cars. Unless these are cars from some alternate universe where penguins rule the world.
Yes, they may not look like what Nissan usually rolls off the assembly line, but the EPORO robot cars are an advancement for the day when cars drive themselves like Knight Rider.
You see, these EPORO robot cars are able to move in groups, and have software built in that keeps them from crashing into each other. Just think of them as bumper cars without the humans and without the bumps.
I suppose a better comparison would be to schools of fish, who are able to travel without bumping into each other and fluidly avoid other obstacles.
It sort of reminds me of the software used in Pixar’s classic Finding Nemo. Remember how the schools of fish traveled in schools, just like real fish? It would appear that Nissan took that tech a step higher, and plans to put six of the EPORO robots on display at CEATAC Japan next week.
I like where EPORO technology is going. I suppose automated cars could easily be programmed to follow traffic signals, but Nissan has finally figured out how to keep automated vehicles from hitting each other.
Are we that far away from Minority Report style automatic vehicles? I hope not. I would like to take nap in my car while on the way home.
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Nissan Land Glider » Coolest Gadgets Says: October 9, 2009 at 11:39 am
[...] Nissan is making more cars than those EPORO robot cars that we reported on a while [...]
Lucy Says: June 20, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I wasn’t sure if this is a real car, and then I found out that it is only a robot, not big enough to fit a human being – is this just for amusement? I came across quite a few anti-collision technology being tested out for future fuel-less transportation, specifically in Europe and Scandinavia. In wake of the oil spill in the Gulf hopefully alternative cars in a concept like this can materialized (minus the awkward penguin design of course).
Camille Says: April 7, 2011 at 12:07 am
Cute cars. Would want to ride them myself if only I fit in. With these, I’m pretty sure the inventors can make a real car using their methods of creating such robots. Just hoping that robots won’t soon replace employees. Just cars and similar techs.
Alexia Says: April 7, 2011 at 6:32 am
Great invention in creating robots that moves yet don’t bump into each other. How fast do these robots move and is it possible to create cars with a mind of its own and don’t crash into each other? For example two cars running directly towards each other at full speed and yet miraculously don’t crash into each other. Wouldn’t that be great.
Langley Chrysler Says: April 13, 2011 at 1:58 pm
I have some reservations on giving full operation to these robot cars unless there are special highways for them. Definitely, I can’t sleep riding them when they travel through the mainstream traffic. I might wake up in “Kingdom come”, not that I don’t trust these high-tech machines but it’s the external factors that I can’t rely on. So, it’s special highways for special robot cars. Otherwise, I will just be contented using my latest Langley Chrysler 300.
Aiden Says: April 13, 2011 at 7:07 pm
These inventions are only stepping stones to better car technology in the the years to come. The anti-collision system is a dream come true for vehicles in the future. When I was a child, I used to watch these flying cars in Japanese animated cartoons like Dragon Ball Z. The concept of anti-colliding cars brings out the excitement I feel every time I imagine those flying cars. Although the system is only available in robots at the moment, still, it’s a big innovation and a step closer to those “cars of the future”.
Benj Says: April 27, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Cute gadgets. I will not mind if cars would look like these things in the future. 
Fiat dealer Says: May 17, 2011 at 12:55 am
The shape is amusing and not the usual car shape we are used to. However, if it can take me to my usual route everyday or places just like my old car and have no risks for accidents then i’ll be glad to buy one of these.
Nikki Brown Says: October 2, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I love this idea! I am legally blind so cannot drive. Something like this would open up opportunities for blind or other physically challenged people to have safe and independent transportation. I don’t imagine it will happen in my lifetime though.