Honda’s concepts for driverless cars of the future by Map and Mori Inc

Date
5 May 2016
Above

Map and Mori Inc for Honda: Desert Train

Design agencies Map and Mori Inc have created a series of seven concept vehicles for Honda that envision how driverless technology might be used in the future. Honda. Great Journey traces the journey from Kenya to Brazil, following the migration pattern of human beings millions of years ago, and reimagines how we might travel this route using modern autonomous driving technology.

London-based creative consultancy Map, together with Japanese studio Mori Inc, developed a range of vehicles that vary according to different legs of the route. These have been brought to life by Ogle, which made models of the concepts, and Petr Krejci, who photographed them “in situ.” A short film on the project’s website, also by Petr, features clips of the vehicles animated.

Each of the vehicles is designed for its specific terrain and the challenges it might present. Safari Drifter is a combination of a camper van and safari truck, offering protection from the savannah animals and sun. Desert Train is a chain of linked cars, with an “indestructible” appearance and incorporated Bedouin tent. Mountain Climber is designed for the Himalayas, with a high ground clearance and robotic legs to negotiate rocks and debris.

The solar-powered Island Hopper is a hybrid of a pedalo and luxury yacht, with tank wheels that also act as paddles; while the sled runners of the Tundra Sled are for snowy landscapes. Road Tripper’s shape is inspired by the Airstream, with large glass panels for passengers to enjoy views of the coastal roads. Finally, the Jungle Jumper can adapt from tarmac roads to jungle terrain with its six, deep-treaded tyres, and carries a habitation unit for passengers to occupy protected from the surroundings.

According to Honda, this project aims to alter the conversation surrounding driverless cars from one purely of efficiency to one about the joy of mobility. The company has no current plans to develop the concepts further.

Above

Map and Mori Inc for Honda: Safari Drifter

Above

Map and Mori Inc for Honda: Mountain Climber

Above

Map and Mori Inc for Honda: Island Hopper

Above

Map and Mori Inc for Honda: Tundra Sled

Above

Map and Mori Inc for Honda: Road Tripper

Above

Map and Mori Inc for Honda: Jungle Jumper

Share Article

About the Author

Jenny Brewer

Jenny oversees our editorial output across work, news and features. She was previously It’s Nice That's news editor. Get in touch with any big creative stories, tips, pitches, news and opinions, or questions about all things editorial.

It's Nice That Newsletters

Fancy a bit of It's Nice That in your inbox? Sign up to our newsletters and we'll keep you in the loop with everything good going on in the creative world.