Rinspeed Senso - an intelligent and sensitive concept car

We're betting the Vehicle Expression System will never be seen beyond Japan (we see it fueling "road rage" in some parts of the world), but the data the system collects can also be used creatively and effectively in other ways.

Toyota's work in the area borrows heavily from its growing expertise in robotics, and a story in Gizmag two years ago described Toyota's POD concept vehicle as "the latest in robotics and communications technology, combined with the personality of the family pet". Unveiled at the 2002 Tokyo Motor Show, the Pod concept vehicle was a collaboration between Toyota and Sony that focussed on the relationship between car and driver.

Developed with entertainment, emotion and enhancement of the driving experience in mind, the Pod will play your favourite music, reflect your mood (and its own) through a display of different coloured lights on the front, say goodbye when you get out, thank other drivers when they let you merge and even wag its antenna 'tail' when its really chuffed.

The Pod uses a series of sensors to accumulate data on the driver's life preferences. This extends well beyond musical taste, with sensors detecting variations in driving conditions, appropriate use of steering wheel, accelerator and brakes, the pulse and the perspiration level of the driver - the Pod even employs a face recognition sensor to detect if the driver is falling asleep.

A portable unit called the 'mini pod' allows this 'learning' process to continue while the driver is away from the car - the terminal collects information such as music and television preferences inside the home and transfers this data back to the car which can act accordingly when next in use. The mini pod is hoped to become clever enough to picked up on a the name of a band whilst you were at home and this name is subsequently mentioned during conversation in the car, the Pod will immediately begin surfing the Internet to download and play their songs.

The 'smart' capabilities of the Pod also extend beyond the realm of entertainment - the driving data collected by the car can be compared with pre-recorded 'expert' data and the driver given warnings or encouragement through text on the Pod's monitor, enabling it to perform the role of a friend and driving coach. The car also features a hands only 'drive-by-wire' control system enabling steering, braking and acceleration to be operated through a single controller. So too does the Rinspeed Senso.

In many ways, the Senso and Toyota POD are exploring the same intelligent awareness space, though the Senso appears far more than just a rework of the POD concept.

Many of Rinspeed's usual collaborators have contributed to the project design and construction, plus several new collaborators have brought their expertise in data collection and Smart Surface Technology.

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