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Get ready for a road trip that’s out of this world, as car company Toyota has just unveiled a lunar cruiser concept that would be able to drive across the surface of the moon. It’s been over 50 years since we last stepped foot on the moon, but now we might be planning another trip real soon.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has plans to send the first woman and first person of color to Earth’s only natural satellite as part of its Artemis program. To make a permanent presence on the moon possible, astronauts will need an efficient way to get around.
Enter Toyota’s concept for a Baby Lunar Cruiser—an electric SUV offering a vision of what lunar exploration could look like.
At first glance, this electric SUV looks just like any car you would see on Earth. But under its hood lies some pretty impressive technology: augmented reality dashboards, cameras and sensors capable of detecting challenging terrain, airless tires for zero puncture risk, in-wheel electric motors, joysticks for control, and more.
The design is inspired by Toyota’s original FJ40 Land Cruiser—a classic vehicle with unmistakable style that has been around since 1974—as well as the real Lunar Cruiser being developed by Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This self-driving rover is set to land on the moon in 2029 and can travel up to 6200 miles across the lunar surface; it also holds two people up to 14 days while they live and work inside it.
It goes without saying that all this revolutionary tech will not only be used in space exploration but also when tackling rough terrain here on Earth.
Not only does this concept offer us a glimpse into our future outer space travels but it is also excitingly retro at its core—invoking memories from 1970s Moon buggies with features such as split tailgate configuration at rear end and adjustable spaceframe seats with panels providing interior flexibility.
Furthermore, there are some design cues taken from FJ40 Land Cruisers including white roof paint which helps keep cabin cool in remote climates.
There is no doubt that these features are sure bring us closer than ever before to understanding our solar system better through exploration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVd56tY9eBA
