Big in Japan: Cruise over Tokyo in a Zeppelin

by Matthew Firestone on

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Zeppelin?

a) That killer guitar solo from Stairway to Heaven
b) An image of the Hindenburg in flames
c) A delicious fried donut (you’re actually thinking of a zeppole)
d) A first-class way to travel the skies

Although you’d be forgiven for thinking of any of the above, the correct answer (at least for the purposes of this blog post) is in fact d.

(Then again, I could really use a zeppole right about now, and I do loves me some Led Zeppelin.)

In a recent press release, the Nippon Airship Corporation announced that they will begin offering cruises over Tokyo in their fleet of German-manufactured Zeppelin NT (Neue Technologie, German for new technology) airships.

A 90-minute cruise over the world’s largest megalopolis will set you back the bargain price of US$1,500 or approximately 173,000 yen (give or take a few thousand).

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the Zeppelin NT is filled with helium, not hydrogen. And besides, safety is of paramount concern in Japan, so you can erase any images of the Hindenburg in flames from your twisted little mind.

For all of you aviation fans out there who want the nitty-gritty details on the Zeppelin NT, keep on reading.

The Zeppelin NT has been manufactured since the 1990s by the German company Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH (ZLT) in Friedrichshafen. However, ZLT is in fact the direct successor of the companies founded by Ferdinand von Zeppelin, which constructed and operated the Zeppelin airships of the early 20th century.

Unlike the behemoth Zeppelins that once took to the skies, modern Zeppelin NT airships are only 75 m long, and have a total volume of 8,225 m³. They are also exclusively inflated with helium, which is a non-reactive noble gas.

Unlike hydrogen, which is needless to say extremely flammable, the only danger in using helium is the possibility of a squeaky voice, and perhaps a mild head rush.

The Zeppelin NT is also classified as a semi-rigid airship, which is completely different in design from the original Zeppelins.

Instead of employing a rigid skeleton and a non-rigid blimp, the Zeppelin NT uses an internal triangular truss of graphite-reinforced plastic as well as three longitudinal aluminum girders and aramid cords.

Although the Zeppelin NT only weighs about 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg), it can transport a payload that is double its weight, and carry up to twelve passengers and two crew members.

The Zeppelin NT has a maximum range of approximately 560 miles (900 kilometers). It can also rise to an altitude of 8,500 ft (2,600m) and reach speeds of 78 mph (135 km/h).

Although I don’t think I have the cash to take an aerial tour of Tokyo, I think you’ll agree with me in saying that the Zeppelin NT is definitely a first-class way to travel the skies, especially if you cue up some Houses of the Holy on your IPod.

** Special thanks to Justin Glow, the main man behind scenes here at Gadling, who tipped me off to this random bit of news. If I ever hit it big in the writing world, I’ll spot you the US$1,500 so we can cruise over Tokyo in style **

Big in Japan: The Honda PUYO is man’s best friend

by Matthew Firestone on

This week (and last), Big in Japan will be bringing you scenes from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show (???????????????????????) at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City.

For an overview of this biennial event, be sure to read Scenes from the Tokyo Motor Show. For all of you road warriors out there, don’t miss A look at the future of motorcycles. For anyone who loves crazy concept cars, check out The Nissan Pivo2 can pivot on a dime. For an intriguing look at the future personal transportation, see The Suzuki Pixy will help us survive the apocalypse. For a peek at the customizable interiors to come, see The future of Japanese automotive design.

What is man’s best friend? If you answered the Honda PUYO, than you’re correct.

Honda’s newest concept car is dubbed the PUYO, which is a Japanese onomatopoeia (??????) that is meant to convey a warm, friendly impression.

Seriously, there is a word for that Japanese – what an awesome language!

According to the Honda press release, the PUYO is a ‘fuel cell vehicle which was created to have a personable design with the feel of an adorable pet.’

Intrigued? Keep reading.

Here’s where things start to get cool.

The ‘Seamless Soft Box’ exterior of the PUYO is completely cornerless, which allows for the maximum possible spaciousness.

Believe it or not, the Honda PUYO can actually accommodate four Japanese people within its tiny frame, though I’m not sure if the designers took into consideration the size of your average American!

The PUYO is also constructed of a soft gel body, which has been made luminescent to guide people into the proper operating position, and to notify them of the vehicle’s overall condition.

This so called ‘silky feel’ is intended to provide a refreshing, people-friendly space imbued with a feeling of transparency, and to allow for intuitive operation of the vehicle.

In fact, the first thing drivers of the PUYO will notice is the lack of a steering wheel, which which has been replaced by a joystick that is used for operation and maneuvering.

Accompanying features include an instrument panel monitor, luminous fluid level displays, and elastic-like controls made from cloth that rise up when the vehicle starts.

Of course, the main appeal of the PUYO is that you can drive this adorable little contraption without harming the environment.

According to the Honda press release, the PUYO “represents a new idea in mobility that brings together the principals of clean, safe and fun all into one environmentally-responsible, people-friendly, yet minimalist design. The concept has a small frame, is ultra-efficient and is powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. “

So, it’s unlikely that you can teach the PUYO to sit, roll over and fetch the morning paper. But, with enough of a cute factor to inspire affection amongst even the most hardened of car owners, it’s not hard to see why the PUYO could easily be man’s best friend.

And, you can help save the planet by driving one!

Well, that’s it for our coverage of the biennial Tokyo Motor Show…

See ya’ll again in 2009!

Big in Japan: The future of Japanese automotive design

by Matthew Firestone on

This week (and last), Big in Japan will be bringing you scenes from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show (???????????????????????) at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City.

For an overview of this biennial event, be sure to read Scenes from the Tokyo Motor Show. For all of you road warriors out there, don’t miss A look at the future of motorcycles. For anyone who loves crazy concept cars, check out The Nissan Pivo2 can pivot on a dime. For an intriguing look at the future personal transportation, see The Nissan Pixy will help us survive the apocalypse.

Do you love the Japanese design aesthetic? So do I.

From the chic minimalism of Japanese interior spaces to the efficiency and reliability of Japanese electronics, form and function is indeed a virtue here in the Far East.

With that said, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that form and function were key themes at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. If you’ve been wondering where Japanese automotive design will take us in the years ahead, keep reading as you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you use your car as a business, a home away from home or as your key to the great outdoors, you’re going to love what the future holds.

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Although space is something that most North Americans take for granted, the mind-blowing density of Japan’s urban landscapes necessitates good design.

Indeed, here in Japan it’s not about how big your apartment is, but what you do with the space that counts.

So, it’s only natural that automotive design in the years ahead will reflect our individual needs to a greater extent.

For instance, although most Americans choose car interiors based on whether or not they want cloth or leather, Japanese car manufacturers are hoping that fully customizable interiors will be the wave of the future.

Although the idea of relaxing in your car with good friends may seem far-fetched, it’s not so hard to imagine if your car’s interior had IKEA-inspired seats, a coffee table, a mini-bar and a wall-mounted plasma TV.

Or, what if instead of renting commercial space, you could take your business on the go?

Imagine instead of ruining the leather in your car in an attempt to bring Fido to the groomers, you could instead call up a service to swing on by your house.

And of course, even accessing the great outdoors will be less of a hassle in the future.

If you want to go rollerblading on the boardwalk, simply park your car, climb into the back, swivel the seats, lock in to your skates and you’re ready to go.

Or, what if you and the family want to go SCUBA diving?

Instead of trying to fit all of your tanks and gear into the trunk, simply extend the cab on your minivan, and load your gear with the ease of browsing through your closet.

Of course, customization doesn’t come cheap, which is perhaps the main hurdle in bringing these concept designs to the market.

However, in a country where form and function hold a significant amount of weight, perhaps it won’t be too long before our cars are just as personalized as our homes.

The future is indeed looking bright.

For photos of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, check out the gallery below:

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Big in Japan: The Suzuki Pixy will help us survive the apocalypse

by Matthew Firestone on

This week (and last), Big in Japan will be bringing you scenes from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show (???????????????????????) at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City.

For an overview of this biennial event, check out Scenes from the Tokyo Motor Show. For all of you road warriors out there, don’t miss A look at the future of motorcycles. For anyone who loves crazy concept cars, check out The Nissan Pivo2 can pivot on a dime.

Do you ever worry about surviving the apocalypse?

Be it Armageddon, environmental degradation, nuclear war or pandemic disease, it’s becoming increasingly more likely that our days on this planet are numbered.

Fortunately, the good folks at Suzuki have a solution to our problems, namely the Pixy and the SSC (Suzuki Sharing Coach).

Together, this Segway-inspired personal mobility unit and accompanying transportation accessories will make it a cinch for humans to survive the apocalypse, be it a world of religious fury, saturated pollution, nuclear winter or seething illness.

Are you depressed yet? If not, keep reading for more information on the dark future to come.

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In a world compromised by religious fires, noxious chemicals, nuclear fallout or airborne viruses, maintaining your own personal breathing space outside the comfort of your underground dwelling is of the utmost importance. That is why the Suzuki Pixi is the perfect answer to your individual transportation needs.

As demonstrated at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Pixi is something akin to a Segway on steroids, allowing for personalized mobility and complete control. Powered by a tweaked-up mouse, the user can spin the vehicle 360 degrees, and move either forwards or backwards using just one hand.

Depending on the harshness of the outside world, the Pixi can completely seal in the user in order to create a protected environment, or go ‘convertible’ allowing the user to take in the scenic views of the scorched, exhausted, contaminated or plagued world that we once called Earth.

Of course, mobility in a post-apocalyptic world shouldn’t just be confined to travelling from your cave to the hermetically sealed grocery store, which is why Suzuki had the good insight to imagine the SSC or Suzuki Sharing Coach.

Basically, the SSC is an acronym to describe one of several vehicles that will interface with the Pixy.

For instance, imagine if you and your family want to pack your pods into the SSC and have a picnic in the haunted, cut-down, incinerated or festering landscape once known as a park. With the land cruiser SSC unit, you can experience the perils of a post-apocalyptic world together as a family.

Or, what if you need to travel across the evaporated, oily, boiling or infectious body of water once known as the ocean. With the motor boat SSC unit, you can hit the high seas and reminisce about a day when people once ate a delicious and prolific creature known as fish.

Sure, sometimes when you turn on the news in this modern era, it’s easy to get down on the state of reality. But, don’t worry – thanks to good folks at Suzuki, clearly we should have no problem surviving the apocalypse!

For more scenes from the Tokyo Motor Show, tune in tomorrow for another installment of Big in Japan.

For photos of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, check out the gallery below:

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Big in Japan: The Nissan Pivo2 can pivot on a dime

by Matthew Firestone on

This week (and last), Big in Japan will be bringing you scenes from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show (???????????????????????) at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City.

For an overview of this biennial event, check out Scenes from the Tokyo Motor Show. For all of you road warriors out there, don’t miss A look at the future of motorcycles.

Do you love concept cars? So do I.

In case you’re wondering about all of the crazy concept cars that are being highlighted at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, check out the new Nissan Pivo2, which easily steals the spotlight.

According to Nissan, this environmentally friendly, electric-powered urban commuter car features a cabin capable of rotating 360 degrees, which is perfect for drivers with a fear of parallel parking.

The Pivo2 also caters to futurists out there with the introduction of ‘intelligent life form design,’ which is intended to revolutionize the interaction between car and driver.

Have I peaked your interest yet? Keep reading for more on this unbelievable concept car.

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Adhering to its mantra of ‘Always enjoyable, everywhere convenient,’ the Pivo2 was designed to meet the specific needs of the urban commuter. The signature feature of the Pivo2, which was inherited from the first generation, is its revolving cabin.

Thanks to its variable geometry system dubbed Metamo, the revolving interior of the Pivo2 means that the driver can always face forward while driving, even when parallel parking or leaving a front-in parking space.

As a result of the disk-shaped traction motor housed in each wheel unit, the Pivo 2 can also be maneuvered in ways that would be difficult for an ordinary vehicle. With the ability to control all four wheel units independently, the Pivo2 can actually move sideways, which is advantageous when you’re negotiating parking lots and congested streets.

In regards to safety, the Metamo system also contributes to the overall performance and safety of the Pivo2. For instance, the system automatically controls the position of the wheels according to driving conditions in order to equalize the overall load.

The coolest aspect of the Pivo2 is its intelligent life form design. Basically, Nissan believes that a vehicle can also evoke feelings of affection, creating actual partner relationships. As a result, the Pivo2 employs a robotic agent (RA) that actually talks and listens to the driver.

Seriously!

In addition to providing information needed for driving, the RA can actually infer the mood of the driver, and respond with the appropriate emotion. The RA accomplishes this task by scanning facial gestures, and analyzing the tone and pitch of the driver’s voice.

The engineers at Nissan hope that this interactive interface will put the driver in a calmer frame of mind, which they believe will result in safer driving. They also hope that the RA will forge feelings of trust and affection between the car and driver.

Awesome. I mean, I’ve named every car I’ve ever owned, but none of them actually knew mine!

For more scenes from the Tokyo Motor Show, tune in tomorrow for another installment of Big in Japan.

For photos of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, check out the gallery below:

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