Toyota's entry for the LA Design Challenge is a mixture of student transport and social networking. The LINK is aimed at the large number of students going to university in the year 2030.
Rather than owning a LINK the vehicles are hired from local 'HUBs'. Each HUB would be a social centre where students meet before starting their journeys. The HUBs also sell downloadable 'LINK SKINZ' to allow users to personalise the vehicle they use.
Each vehicle can travel individually or in linked configuration with others on the 'transportation social network'. The network allows users to discuss their course schedules, share music or just chat. To prevent the technology from becoming a distraction there is an on board auto-pilot that activates as soon as the social networking tools are turned on.
Along with the networking abilities the LINK incorporates 'electro fibre technology' to allow the body to display the SKINZ. The body is supported on 'hyper tension tubes' and instead of wheels there are electro conductive spheres. The spheres can convert friction into electricity to recharge the onboard batteries.
We're not sure if there is a place for driving enjoyment as we know it in Toyota's vision of the future.
John Lambert - 13 Nov 2009