By Bill Buys - Community Newspaper Group motoring editor
IT'S called the Pivo 3 and, while it will be at the Tokyo Motor Show as a concept, Nissan envisions it to be an EV of the near future.
Pivo 3 will fit in with the “smart community” with greater feasibility, credibility and an extended scope of mobile performance.
Nissan believes PIVO 3 is very close to what the next step in zero-emission urban mobility will be.
It will have some very unusual features, too; among them the ability to communicate on a smartphone.
Its Automated Valet Parking (AVP) system will revolutionise parking.
No longer does a driver need to find a parking space, physically park the car, or remember which space the car is parked in.
Pivo 3 can park automatically in specially-equipped parking lots. While the driver shops or takes care of business, the car recharges itself or sells excess power to the grid.
Shopping or business over, the driver can call Pivo 3 and the car will take itself to the meeting point, just like a well-trained dog.
It’s a very compact package, able to do a u-turn in 4m and turn on its own axis. So instead of reversing, you just do an on-the-spot-uey.
The cute car uses electric power and by-wire control technology to allow the downsizing or elimination of many mechanical parts.
Here’s another thing: The car acts as a partner or personal assistant to the driver, with companionship conveyed by the Robotic Agent.
Pivo 3 uses cloud computing and infrastructure to connect with the city.
A “smart” personal filter selects information relevant to the driver, location and vehicle.
Inside, side-view monitors take the place of mirrors, and minimise blind spots.
The console has an ultra-wide display for GPS and other information, and together with a sub-monitor and the Robotic Agent, is positioned to interact discreetly with the driver.