Toyota unveils Fun-Vii “smartphone car”

A concept vehicle unveiled by Toyota at the Tokyo Motor Show this week got lots of attention and media coverage. The Toyota Fun-Vii is a concept vehicle that the company says heralds to a not-too-distant future where people, cars and society are linked. The Tokyo Motor Show’s theme is “mobility can change the world” and some journalists say the car’s design even looks like a smartphone, where images can displayed on the interior and exterior of the vehicle and can be easily changed and customized to suit the user’s personality or even their mood.

Toyota's Fun-Vii lets owners display images and messages inside and outside their car.

The whole vehicle body can be used as a display space, with the body colour and display content changeable at will. This allows the entire vehicle to function as a terminal for displaying messages or other information.

The whole of the vehicle interior also can function as a display space, with the interior freely adjustable to match the mood of the moment. Content such as navigation information is blended seamlessly into the interior through the use of augmented reality. The vehicle’s “navigation concierge” can provide the passengers with driving information and guidance through a vocal interface.

A network update function makes sure the software versions for the vehicle’s drive, control and multimedia system are always up-to-date.

The Fun-Vii (with the Vii standing for “vehicle interactive Internet”) is able to link with surrounding vehicles and infrastructure, allowing it to detect other potentially hazardous vehicles—such as vehicles in blind spots—in advance, or to connect with friends who are driving nearby.

The Toyota Fun-Vii unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show

Operation of the Fun-Vii is not limited to inside the vehicle itself, with a portion of the vehicle’s functions access able remotely via a smartphone or other mobile communication device.

Under the slogan “Fun to Drive, Again,” TMC says it is offering fresh proposals to provide the dream and joy of motor vehicles to as many people as possible. In addition to the Toyota Fun-Vii, the company is displaying a variety of other concept cars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2011.

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