Concept cars seem to be all about unlikely fancy which seem awesome apart from the fact that you would never actually expect them to get on to the road. That is one point and one essential reason why many probably just snub at them and look away. But that is a factor we are ready to put behind us here at auto and look past as every budding idea needs a bit of encouragement and a few kind words rather than a cheap shot from behind to take it down. ‘Drop’ is a very simple name for what is otherwise a stunningly compact and very acrobatic concept car that we have.

Drop, designed by Rubem De Floriani, is a one passenger vehicle which was developed following a new vehicle modality where people are not isolated by their vehicles. Instead they become part of a mobile community where each person keeps their individual personality “dressing” clothes on wheels. The vehicle possesses diverse levels of body inclination, increasing or diminishing its between-axle according to users’ needs or its location. The access is given by a frontal hatchway that works as a windshield. In this case, the vehicle must assume the vertical position that works as much for the embankment and landing as for saving useful space in urban centers.

The wheels are, in reality, four magnetized rubber spheres that serve as a displacement and orientation electromagnetic field for the maglev system. This levitation is given between the car body and the spheres in an electrodynamic suspension system serving also as a small damping system. Drop is a cute little revelation and a concept car that I would surely love to drive out. So when is it hitting the roads?

Via: michelinchallengedesign