PUYO is meant to convey all that is warm and friendly, and put a smile on the face of users and pedestrians. In a world where oil prices are skyrocketing, road rage is on the up and up and cars seem to be designed to accentuate the strength, endurance and killer instinct of a cheetah, the PUYO is a breath of fresh air. Although it seems to be designed by a secret anime department within the Honda R&D confines, the PUYO has a sensibility about it that makes you feel like you could potentially be driving a cloud in a Hayao Miyazaki film.
The Honda PUYO represents a new idea in transportation; it brings together the principles of clean, safe and fun all into one environmentally-responsible, people-friendly, yet minimalist design. The concept has a small frame, is ultra-efficient and is powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. Unique to this design is the v‘gel body’, made of soft materials that enhance the ‘real world’ safety properties of the vehicle. Lights beneath the body shine through the gel, to help highlight doors and perhaps propel you into putting on your one piece TRON uni-suit and attempt to shoot a laser from your cockpit. Other uses include the display of manual functions, and notifying the user of the vehicle’s condition.
PUYO is meant to convey all that is warm and friendly, and put a smile on the face of users and pedestrians. In a world where oil prices are skyrocketing, road rage is on the up and up and cars seem to be designed to accentuate the strength, endurance and killer instinct of a cheetah, the PUYO is a breath of fresh air. Although it seems to be designed by a secret anime department within the Honda R&D confines, the PUYO has a sensibility about it that makes you feel like you could potentially be driving a cloud in a Hayao Miyazaki film.
A spokesperson for Honda said "One of the key goals of the project was to create a cornerless car that was kind to both people and the environment." The ‘Seamless Soft Box’ is welcoming and inviting to look at, but also makes the most of the box-shaped design’s spaciousness, managing to accommodate four people within its tiny frame.
Developed to have a ‘silky feel’, the PUYO’s interior is designed to be inviting and provide a people-friendly cabin with a feeling of space emphasized by transparent materials. Features include an instrument panel monitor, elastic-like controls made from cloth that rise up when the vehicle starts and luminous fluid level displays.
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The obvious omission is the steering wheel, which is replaced by a joystick, used for operation and maneuvering, which really gives the feeling you're playing a live game of Nintendo's "Smash Bros." where you are the character Pikachu. If the Puyo does ever make it to the road, you'll wish you practiced driving it on a Nintendo Wii.
