Foldable fantasy: MIT Media Lab unveils Hiriko electric bubble car

by Steven Mostyn - Jan 26 2012, 08:41

Here’s one to file under: Cool idea that won’t ever see the light of day. A prototype ‘foldable’ electric car has been debuted this week in an effort to promote both cleaner driving and urban space saving.

The product of a collaboration between the Spanish government and MIT Media Lab, the diminutive two-seat Hiriko (‘of the city’) bubble car is capable of going from really rather small to positively tiny thanks to its innovative folding rear capsule, which slides away beneath the bulk of the chassis (see video below).

Beyond having only two-thirds of the physical footprint of the original Smart car when in its parked state, the Hiriko also boasts added inner-city maneuverability as each of its wheels are independently driven and controlled by robotic internal electric motors.

Other features include a single front-mounted entrance for both driver and passenger, and eco-credentials that are believed to be five times greater than those offered up by the Smart car.

The Hiriko also boasts a ‘haptic’ joystick steering mechanism as opposed to a conventional steering wheel. The joystick will apparently work in conjunction with onboard navigational technology and physically influence the driver’s hand to help assist with direction.

Although we here at Tech Herald Towers don’t see anyone (even hardened tree-huggers) purchasing the Hiriko, the vehicle could apparently shift into full production following the outcome of an initial trial set to be conducted across a number of European and American cities.

Said trial is expected to start during the third quarter of 2012 and will see the wacky little car trundling around the streets of Bilbao in Spain, Malmo in Sweden, and Boston in the United States.

No word yet on speed or single-charge distance, but the Hiriko probably won’t come cheap seeing as it presently has a construction cost of around $12,500 euros (approx. $16,200 USD).

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