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Author Topic: The car that folds--like Origami Post a Reply Back to Topics
PD

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 11:39:00 AM

Are you ready for a car that folds into itself? Like Origami? I kid you not.

According to an MSNBC story, a consortium of technology companies in the Basque region of Spain is planning to produce a tiny city car that was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The car is called the 'Hiriko'.

Hiriko means "urban car." It is derived from two Basque words --"Hiri" (urban in Basque) and "Ko" (coche or car). The first two-seater production models should be on the streets in Spain next year.

It's an electric vehicle that delivers mobility equivalent to 200 miles per gallon.
And according to European Commission President José Manuel Durao Barroso, the car “is an answer to the crisis...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article
REPLIES (newest first)
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rmstella
Rookie Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: May 20, 2012 11:19:21 AM

That would be great, if you were charged for square footage in a parkade!
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Vette1967
Champion Author Albany

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Message Posted: May 19, 2012 10:56:17 PM

albert2008: It folds into itself.:-)
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albert2008
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: May 19, 2012 8:23:06 AM

what does it due in a crash
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99dakota
Champion Author Providence

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Message Posted: May 19, 2012 8:17:31 AM

ok
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D61
Rookie Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: May 18, 2012 5:20:34 PM

L.welk had the first one, he called it an accordion
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CapriceWagon
All-Star Author Washington

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Message Posted: May 18, 2012 12:16:12 PM

They wouldn't work here, it's just a toy like Smart cars
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Jkent1953
Champion Author Salt Lake City

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Message Posted: May 7, 2012 9:40:44 AM

And it is about the right size to be buried in.
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txrojo2005
All-Star Author Austin

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Message Posted: May 1, 2012 1:51:19 PM

I agree with sabob.
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sabob
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: May 1, 2012 10:08:00 AM

Don't get hit with a truck!!!! Or a big bumblebee!!!
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Donatelo
Champion Author Dayton

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Message Posted: May 1, 2012 8:25:45 AM

ok
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albert2008
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: May 1, 2012 7:46:47 AM

old news
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gasokie
Champion Author Oklahoma

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Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 10:53:11 AM

Oh don't worry. Drivers will still park on lines and in such a manner than no one can park close to them. Don't you just hate those dinks?
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benjy
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 5:35:46 AM

wow, a car that will wrap around a tree and spring back...
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GBMAX
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:01:19 PM

no
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Donatelo
Champion Author Dayton

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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 2:44:35 PM

ok
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lesandliz
Sophomore Author New Orleans

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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 2:12:56 AM

But it won't make it to the U.S.
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clpassenubye
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Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:54:56 PM

Interesting
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vjs3
Champion Author Denver

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Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 8:30:50 PM

Nice!
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Donatelo
Champion Author Dayton

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Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:26:34 PM

cool
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albert2008
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 7:58:00 AM

but does it fold up in an accident
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PaylessKY
Champion Author Kentucky

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Message Posted: Apr 10, 2012 10:37:58 PM

I don't think so. I would not feel safe in this vehicle.

[Edited by: PaylessKY at 4/10/2012 11:42:15 PM EST]
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clpassenubye
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 12:32:19 PM

wow
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123cowboy
Champion Author Maine

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Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 12:02:08 PM

this is the car for all those drunk drivers....
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albert2008
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 8:05:38 AM

time will tell
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asog75
All-Star Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 12:20:15 AM

how far on one charge!!!
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Reishman
Veteran Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 4:27:27 PM

Another plot to overthrow the world.
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Vette1967
Champion Author Albany

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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 4:25:43 PM

It's got a place somewhere in the world...just not along side an 18 wheeler on the Turnpike.
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MeadowBay
Rookie Author Calgary

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Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 5:18:04 PM

the car maybe small

i'ts the small?
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RLSearsIN
All-Star Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Mar 7, 2012 9:37:02 AM

And I think the smart car is small . . . . . .
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DanMtz
Champion Author Oakland

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Message Posted: Feb 18, 2012 10:52:01 AM

Calling that golf cart a car is a bit of a stretch.
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rowleys7
Rookie Author Louisiana

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Message Posted: Feb 18, 2012 10:40:23 AM

when I got in a bad wreck with a 1995 Ford F-150, I didn't get hurt very much. What will you think will happen if someone gets in a wreck in this. They will look like a hot dog in a bun. I only paid $3000.00 for my truck. I can't see paying $16,000.00 for a coffin on wheels.
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rowleys7
Rookie Author Louisiana

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Message Posted: Feb 18, 2012 10:13:38 AM

I would like to add this,you can by a truck for what it cost for one of them things, can you pull your boat with it,how many people you can out in it
and like said I'm a poor coonass from louisiana and My name is Roy not
Mr O'Bama if want sell this thing you need to talk to them guys
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rowleys7
Rookie Author Louisiana

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Message Posted: Feb 18, 2012 1:27:56 AM

How in hell or you going to sell this shit to a poor coonass like me
My name Roy not Mr O'Bama something like that.
anyway, I would like to have something that is good on gas but having
something that is good on gas and the cost, it is to much on this shit they make,You think it will matter to an 18 wheeler what the hell it cost an if it is good on gas if you get hit by one. If you like to E-Mail me
this is my e-mail rowleys7@charter.net
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RonTheRunner77
Veteran Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 10:54:45 PM

neat concept but it will never amount to anything
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joekayak
All-Star Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 10:40:09 PM

Ask yourself, would you pay $16,000 for that.
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Pete12
Champion Author Albany

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 8:40:55 PM

I'm sure it's very practical as a family car!
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nervous
Sophomore Author Ventura

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 7:41:36 PM

Funny, 30+ yrs ago i used get my driving skills in one of these, but that was @ the arcade palace. Funny also, I only had to pay 50 cents to go for a drive not $16,000.
DOT aint going to approve this. It's the fact it can go 56 mph having a short wheel base and looking top heavy. Also it looks as fragile as an egg and looking like an egg. I'll stay happy and safe with my early model muscle car that hasn't been made from recycled mat'l (original steel and no plastics).

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ziyulu
Champion Author Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 7:06:34 PM

Aren't some cargo planes designed where the nose can be folded to load big pieces of cargo? I wonder what happens if it folds in flight?

[Edited by: ziyulu at 2/17/2012 8:07:27 PM EST]
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mpg611
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 6:54:12 PM

If I fold this car enough times then I should be able to fit it in my pocket.
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rbrk02
Champion Author Rhode Island

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 5:59:44 PM

This isn't a car. Its a tin can. The problem isn't that it folds by design. The problem is how it will fold in any collision.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people are willing to put themselves in this kind of risk.

Something along these lines, or along the line of a 'Smart' car might be OK if EVERYONE was driving it. But any normal to large size vehicle is going to crush it in a collision.
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bar1035
Champion Author Charlotte

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 4:08:18 PM

Another Blog?
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TruthMatters
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 3:40:20 PM

In order for this to work in America, someone first invent a way to fold Americans like Origami or else we ain't gonna fit!
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doctorindyj
Champion Author Santa Fe

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 3:12:49 PM

If it folds like paper I would hate to be in it when it does.
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rowleys7
Rookie Author Louisiana

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 1:18:47 PM

How in hell or you going to sell this shit to a poor coonass like me
My name Roy not Mr O Boma something like that.
anyway, I would like to have something that is good on gas but having
something that is good on gas and the cost, it is to much on this shit they make,You think it will matter to an 18 wheeler what the hell it cost an if it is good on gas if you get hit by one. If you like to E-Mail me
this is my e-mail rowleys7@charter.net
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buckets42
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 1:06:30 PM

"Car"?
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tomok
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 12:48:48 PM

A folding vehicle that has a front clamshell door, has very limited range and speed. Three Hiriko’s can fit in the same space as one standard size car. It appears to be a one person vehicle only. Do Not get involved in a front end collision with this thing, it may be hard to exit!
There have been other similar designed vehicles, not foldable, but with a ‘second’ emergency exit.
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MOREDLEG
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 12:32:45 PM

More opportunity for the GOVT to "invest" your tax dollars in a piece of crap that no one wants, see Chevy Volt, Solyndra,
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ToolinIt
Champion Author Colorado

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 12:29:06 PM

Doesn't look safe at all.
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kag2010
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 12:16:57 PM

WOW!
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uglytom
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 12:02:13 PM

WOW!
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