MIT is developing a concept vehicle called the Aware Car, which could revolutionize how elderly take the road. I have a friend who is nearing 100 years old and still has a drivers license although they no longer drive at night. Ive often wondered how safe it is for them to be on the road at all.

With MIT and others developing technology that will monitor how the elderly take the road I am certain we can see changes in the types of technology that ensure safety for elderly and disabled drivers.

A $1.5 million prototype is being tested at the AgeLab of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to perfect the Aware Car, which seeks to help specifically elder motorists to be safer while driving.

Using infrared cameras and mini cameras, the unit under construction measures the driver’s habits and would react if the one behind the wheel veers away from his usual response. The cameras monitors the driver’s eye and eyelid movements, while the driver’s heart rate, blood pressure and respiration are monitored and the data sent to a device on the trunk that could detect lane drifting. At the back seat is a computer monitor from where real-time data periodically show up.

Source: Gant Daily

Toyota Iswing-Concept - The top video clips of the week are here

The Toyota iSwing is an experimental single passenger vehicle developed by Toyota. The vehicle’s innovative quality is that it can recline from a standing position for faster travel.

Toyota engineers are trying to revolutionize travel with new technologies that merge transportation on a personal level with commuter transportation. Imagine a personal vehicle fit for each human that needs transportation.

I believe this is going to be a far better solution that sweating over prices at the pump.

If big cars were the wave of the last generation this generation present and future will surely shift to smaller cars. Take a look at this tiny concept car, called the M-112. Small it is, but small has been proven to be safe if designed correctly and get amazing gas mileage and still be fast and sporty.

As part of the EcoCustom Team that took part in the last Shell Eco Marathon 2008 in France, the Spanish designer set out to prove that super-duper small car design does not have to be comical or embarrassing.

Source: Yanko Design

Hybrid Technologies is creating a super car that will make the Corvette Lovers in all of us drool. On top of that it will make Prius owners jealous because of it’s amazing efficiency. Limited information is available about this supercar. But it’s got me really excited.

Hybrid Technologies is working on a car coming in two flavors—all electric and hybrid. With the electric, they promise a 150 to 180-mile range per charge. With the lithium-ion hybrid, they promise a 220mpg minimum.

Those specs would be impressive in a golf cart.

But the most compelling part of it all is the alleged performance. Popular Mechanics asked Hybrid Technologies if their car could compete with the Corvette ZR-1 and its crazy V8 that induces mid-600s-scale horsepower. The company responded that they were “way out of the ballpark—it’s gonna be wild.”

For more information on Hybrid Cars check out our Hybrid Car Guide.

Source: Gizmodo