In development for over four years at MIT, a new stackable and highly customizable concept two-person car with styling direction from renowned architect Frank Gehry explores the idea of using a fold-up form to increase available parking space in urban centers, among other benefits. The electric, and thus emission free, system doesn't use an engine; power comes from wheel robots that allow omni-directional 360 degree vehicle movement.

The creators of this city-car concept envision a scenario where stacks of these vehicles are placed at high-congestion centers like transportation hubs, where people could remove one from a line of unused vehicles and drive to their destination. General Motors has agreed to build the first prototype and a public test is likely to be conducted in Hong Kong or Singapore.

"Imagine a shopping Cart - a vehicle that can stack - you can take the first vehicle out of a stack and off you go."

Read the article. (Guardian Unlimited)

Visit ZipCar (a car-sharing business in NYC and the east coast)

Image: Franco Vairani/MIT Department of Architecture