Nissan Pivo2 concept technology

2008 Beijing Auto Show

Beijing, China – It’s so Asian! A little Hello Kitty type car with a smiley face and cute colors. Most people at the Beijing auto show think it is to keep the kids occupied while the adults look at the real cars. Wrong!

PIVO 2 is a concept car that Nissan says incorporates this different technology:

3D motor: compact inverter ultra-thin high output motor is integrated with a compact inverter within the wheel assembly.

Compact Lithium-ION battery: Double the storage capacity of a conventional lithium-ion battery, while delivering about 1.5 times the output in a compact package.

RA, or Robotic agent: monitors facial expressions and voice patterns. Nissan says that RA interacts with the driver using speech and gesture to encourage the driver into a more positive state.

The Pvios 2’s Metamo system, or variable geometry chassis, enables the four wheels to be independently controlled and dynamically positioned to optimize stability and permit new maneuvers. It aids in parallel parking.

Watch the video and you’ll notice the angles and position of the wheels are controlled and can change from side to side to ensure stability during acceleration, deceleration, braking, and cornering.

X-by-wire: Watch the video as the X-by-wire technology allows the top part of the car to turnaround so that the car doesn’t need reverse. Brakes, steering, and other operations are controlled electronically instead of mechanically. X-by-wire technology allows freedom of movement for the wheels and cabin.