Toyota's next-gen black cab concept dropping off at Tokyo Motor Show

Toyota's JPN Taxi Concept that will premiere at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show

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Alongside its FV2 personal transportation vehicle concept, Toyota will also be premiering a next-generation taxi concept at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show. Although it bears more than a passing resemblance to London's iconic black cabs, Toyota says the JPN Taxi Concept has been created with Japanese hospitality in mind.

With a length of 4,350 mm (171.2 in), width of 1,695 mm (66.7 in) height of 1,700 mm (66.9 in) and wheelbase of 2,750 mm (108.2 in), the vehicle features a roomy, open interior with room for five occupants and a flat floor that is designed to facilitate easy ingress and egress for everyone from children to seniors via the large, electrically operated door on the passenger side.

Once inside, passengers can track the route to their destination and keep an eye on the fare via a large monitor attached to the roof. Up front, the instruments and gauges have been designed specifically for taxi use.

Though no firm details have been released, Toyota says the vehicle is powered by a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) hybrid system that has been optimized to offer excellent environmental performance for taxi driving patterns.

It has also been designed in keeping with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's efforts to force the incorporation of more barrier-free features along bus and taxi routes to make buildings and transport more accessible for the elderly and physically disabled.

Source: Toyota

Share About the Author Darren's love of technology started in primary school with a Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong (still functioning) and a Commodore VIC 20 computer (not still functioning). In high school he upgraded to a 286 PC, and he's been following Moore's law ever since. This love of technology continued through a number of university courses and crappy jobs until 2008, when his interests found a home at Gizmag.   All articles by Darren Quick
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Luxury catamaran concept features glass-bottom master bedroom

Picchio Boat is a luxury catamaran concept which boasts a glass-bottom master bedroom

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Yacht designer Christian Grande has joined forces with award winning Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino to come up with a "dream" boat design. Dubbed Picchio Boat (Woodpecker Boat), the luxury catamaran concept boasts large living zones, natural wooden decking, luxury furnishings and a stunning glass-bottom master bedroom.

The 21-m (71-ft) craft is conceptualized to be more of a floating holiday home than your standard catamaran. With the desire to create a boat that can comfortably accommodate a young family for long periods of time, the Picchio Boat features a large rooftop deck with kitchenette, large outdoor and indoor living zones, indoor dining room, kitchen, guest bedrooms and a fully equipped master bedroom. What's more the indoor master bedroom and main living area also feature stunning glass-bottom flooring, hovering over the sea.

In addition, the catamaran includes customized features such as high bulwarks, removable canvas sun protectors, two vertical garden walls, a large children's play room with foldaway berths and sofas and two guest suites with private ensuites.

The Picchio Boat is a "sort of recreational island to be lived [in], without any need to show or boast it," says Christian Grande.

There's been no word on the expected cost to create the Picchio Boat or whether it's likely to be built.

Source: Picchio Boat and Christian Grande

Share About the Author Bridget is an experienced freelance writer, presenter and performer with a keen eye for innovative design and a passion for green technology. Australian born, Bridget currently resides in Rome and when not scribbling for Gizmag, she spends her time developing new web series content and independent cinema.   All articles by Bridget Borgobello
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Swarming robot cleaner concept wins Design Lab 2013

Young designer Adrian Perez Zapata from Colombia, won this year's competition with his automated home cleaning concept entitled 'Mab'

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Fancy coming home to find a swarm of flying mini robots doing your cleaning? That's the futuristic picture of domestic bliss envisioned by young Colombian designer Adrian Perez Zapata, whose Mab concept has won this year's Electrolux Design Lab competition.

Each year the Design Lab competition sees students from all over the world invited to submit futuristic and life changing appliance designs and concepts. In 2013, the competition was inundated with over 1,700 entries from 60 countries, focusing on the themes of Urban Living, Social Cooking, Natural Air and Effortless Cleaning.

Electrolux's panel of judges put their heads together to come up with eight deserving finalist, before announcing the winner last week.

Adrian Perez Zapata's winning design turns the cliché of a humanoid robot doing the dusting on its head, and while the technology might not be quite there yet, the approach definitely makes sense given the rapid development of swarming micro-UAV systems. Mab consists of a compact circular unit that hosts hundreds of flying mini robots designed to clean surfaces around the home. The central unit scans the house before sending its army of 908 tiny flying cleaning machines. Each mini robot would be fitted with solar technology on their wings to generate clean energy while they are set to the task of cleaning and deodorizing the programmed area. We're not sure if this is a case of "set and forget" or "turn on and run."

In second place, Luiza Silva from Brazil presented her Atomium design concept, which involves a 3D food printer that in her words "prints each meal with the taste and aesthetic desired". The concept food printer would even allow children and family members to draw their desired meal before the printer scans the image and reproduces the real thing.

Third prize in the 2013 Design Lab competition was awarded to Jeabyun Yeon from Korea for his Breathing Wall concept. This design features an integrated air cleaning unit which can be customized to emit perfumed odors, while the LED lighting changes color depending on the chosen scent or desired mood.

The remaining finalist submissions included the flexible 3F vacuum cleaner which changes shape depending on the desired cleaning tasks. As well as surfaces, 3F is designed to clean and deodorizes the air.

Joining the clean air theme, the OZ-1 concept sees both an air purifier and stress relief gadget compressed into a necklace. The compact design can be worn comfortably around the neck while it sets to task of purifying the air you breathe, accompanied with therapeutic aroma oils.

The Global Chef incorporates laser hologram technology to beam distant loved ones or friends into the kitchen while you cook. The concept also allows budding cooks to take part in virtual lessons from top chefs around the world.

Sticking to the cooking theme, the Nutrima design calculates the nutritional value of your food while you prepare it. It also informs you of potential toxins and the freshness of your food.

Finally and my personal favorite is the Kitchen Hub, which keeps control of your household's food supplies. The appliance informs you of what needs to be eaten before its expiration date or what you need to get from the store. It also offers recipe ideas incorporating the ingredients you have at home, taking away the need to shop while also reducing food waste.

Source: Electrolux Design Lab

Share About the Author Bridget is an experienced freelance writer, presenter and performer with a keen eye for innovative design and a passion for green technology. Australian born, Bridget currently resides in Rome and when not scribbling for Gizmag, she spends her time developing new web series content and independent cinema.   All articles by Bridget Borgobello
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