Video: ZMP's "RoboCar MEV"

Serkan Toto

Dr. Serkan Toto is an independent consultant and advisor focusing on Japan’s web, mobile and social gaming industries. Based in Tokyo, he works together with financial institutions and startups worldwide. Serkan has been the Japan contributor for TechCrunch.com since 2008. He is sept-lingual, holds an MBA and is a PhD in economics. → Learn More

Friday, January 21st, 2011


The idea of using robot technology for cars isn’t new, but this new model, the so-called RoboCar MEV [JP], is pretty cool. The one-seater, made by Japanese maker ZMP, is actually the company’s second robot car (following a similar vehicle they showed last February).

The RoboCar MEV is sized at 2.4x 1.0x 1.6m and weighs 350kg. Powered by two 0.29kW in-wheel motors, the car features a stereo camera, an IMU (inertial measurement unit), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G, GPS, laser ranger finders, and speed sensors. ZMP says the top speed is 60km/h.

ZMP is selling the RoboCar MEV for $83,000 and two trimmed-down versions for $35,000 and $59,000, respectively.

This video shows the robot vehicle in action:

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