Toyota Fun Vii - Car of The Future

12 December 2011 - The Fun-Vii three-seater was shown off at the Tokyo Motor Show at the Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, Tokyo. it is a concept car whose exterior serves as an external display, and whose interior can also be adjusted to fit the driver's mood.

Toyota executives said that the design of the car was heavily influenced by modern smartphones, which can be personalized via "skins" and other custom elements. The customizable interior and exteriors provide an emotional connection to the car.
 As a concept vehicle, there's no guarantee that the Fun-Vii will ever see production; the company positioned it as a car for the "not-too-distant future." Toyota representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

According to a video shot by the Associated Press (embedded below), the car's external display can be adjusted to modify the car's color, as well as display motion video and a user interface. The video shows a Toyota employee seemingly interacting with the car, but it's not clear whether or not the car reacts to touch, or whether or not the demonstration was merely well-choreographed.

According to Toyota, the entire exterior of the Fun-Vii can be used as an external display; company president Akio Toyoda introduced the Fun-Vii next to an external side panel that doubled as a greeting card. Powered off, the exterior is jet black.

Toyota also said that the interior of the Fun-Vii can be configured and modified as well, presumably with adjustable colors and tints for various portions of the car.

Toyota positioned the Fun-Vii as an extremely connected car, one that is able to "link with surrounding vehicles and infrastructure," according to the company, detecting hazards—such as vehicles in blind spots—in advance, or connecting with friends who are driving nearby. The in-car software will also be periodically updated, Toyota said. Toyota also said that some of the functions of the car could be accessed remotely, via a smartphone.

Toyota also announced a partnership with Yamaha to develop the EC-Miu, a electric commuter tricycle, and the PAS-WITH electrically power-assisted bicycle, which will be able to share charging information with Toyota electric vehicles, and interact with reservations, charging status/authentication, and payment services.

Powertrain details for the Fun-Vii concept are not finalised, but Toyota describes the package as a ‘not-to-distant future’ project, with elements and technologies likely to be applied to future Toyota production vehicles.