Japanese electronics maker Sharp Corp. plans to unveil a new electric vehicle designed for leisure use rather than daily commuting, the company said ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show.
The compact minivan, called LDK+, is meant to serve as an extension of the home, functioning as a mobile space that can double as a movie room or office. Sharp said the car’s main appeal will be its interior flexibility during “downtime,” when it is parked.
The prototype, first shown about a year ago, includes front seats that swivel 180 degrees and a center console equipped with a table and projector. When the seats are turned and the screen opened, passengers can watch films or conduct video calls.
Sharp said the vehicle will connect to home appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines through its AiOT system, which combines artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. The company did not specify the practical uses of connecting a car to household devices.
The 4.3-meter-long vehicle features a large sliding door and is based on the Model A concept developed by Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group, the manufacturer of Apple’s iPhones.
Sharp also said the LDK+ will support V2H, or Vehicle-to-Home, technology, which allows electricity stored in the car’s battery to power a home during emergencies or daily use. The company said it intends to offer the vehicle “at a price families can comfortably afford.”
Recent Tokyo auto shows have featured a wave of concept vehicles, from major automakers including Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, as well as collaborations between electronics and automotive firms such as Sony and Honda. Sharp’s move into the auto industry without backing from an established carmaker marks an ambitious — and some say risky — step for the company.
AloJapan.com