Holy Jumping Cars, Batman!

Can a company known for speakers change the way you drive a car? Possibly:

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - In a cleared-out parking lot at Bose Corp.'s headquarters, a test driver guides a Lexus at 25 mph toward what would appear to be an unfriendly introduction to a two-by-six lying on its side, ankle-high.

A childlike grin spreads across 76-year-old Amar Bose's face as the vehicle does something most can't: jump over the board, like a cat bounding over a fallen log.

The sedan's experimental, Bose-designed suspension, driven by four electromagnetic motors, had quickly pulled each wheel up, then down.

You know, that's just cool. I remember how Speed Racer's powerful Mark V had the "jump" button and when I read this I couldn't help but be reminded of that. This doesn't do the same thing (i.e., you're not going to jump over that deer that just walked out in front of your car), but if it works like it's supposed to it will give cars the sort of smooth ride people will undoubtedly pay through the nose for. A smooth ride and cupholders -- isn't that what everyone wants out of a car?

Anyway, just an alert about what might be a standard feature in your car in another decade.

Written by johnmscalzi Blog about this entry

This entry has 5 comments: (Add your own)

#5 Comment from jmorancoyle
11/29/05 2:18 AM | Permalink

Smooth ride and cup holders are great. The only other itesm I truly want from an automobile is free gas and a great stereo system.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay
#4 Comment from lurkynat
11/28/05 6:11 PM | Permalink

Dear John,
Wow ! Does sound like a batmobile! Weeeee!
Ye Gods, we will all have one?(folding my hands in my lap adn becoming reticent as I stare out the window and imagine Batman like jaunts....Whoah!):):)
natalie
#3 Comment from monponsett
11/28/05 1:40 PM | Permalink

i'm waiting for the car that disagrees with me insofar as destinations go... "You're eating there AGAIN???"
#2 Comment from plittle
11/28/05 12:38 PM | Permalink

An important observation, Tee. Just because one CAN do something, does not necessarily mean one SHOULD do something.
-Paul
http://journals.aol.ca/plittle/AuroraWalkingVacation/
#1 Comment from teeisme57
11/28/05 9:47 AM | Permalink

Put two of these cars together on a road airborn, with no steering and no breaks and you'll have your 1st mid-air collision involving automobiles. Does my insurance cover that?

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Holy Jumping Cars, Batman!