Every Tokyo show needs its dose of the weird and wacky, and this time, Nissan is offering its 'leaning' Land Glider. Combining the handling traits of a sports car and a motorcycle into the one unit, the tandem-layout, two-seater aims to deliver the thrills of both at once.
Apparently inspired by armored creatures in sci-fi movies, Nissan's 'personal city commuter' features steering-by-wire and a lean capability when cornering -- much like a motorcycle -- that enables the vehicle and its tires to lean by up to 17 degrees. Able to turn sharply at nearly any speed, the Land Glider employs sensors for vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate to instantly calculate the level of lean required to negotiate a corner. Small motors in each wheel activate to lean the car to the desired angle. All the driver must do is turn and lean. By enabling the car to lean, designers have succeeded in minimizing vehicle width and tire tread width, thus achieving a sleek, futuristic look.
With drive coming from two rear in-wheel electric motors powered by lithium-polymer batteries mounted beneath the floor, the zero-emissions Land Glider can cruise at beyond 40 mph and has a driving range of up to 60 miles. To ensure maximum safety, engineers have fitted a car-robotics style crash avoidance system in which sensors mounted in the body detect other vehicles in the same way as bees maintain their personal space flying in a swarm, or fish swim in schools without colliding.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
