November 30, 2009
Car exterior with
kyo-yuzen dyeing
patterns
Two types of new concept models of the Kyoto-Car, a Kyoto style electric vehicle, were unveiled at Kyoto University (KU) Tokyo Office. These models were jointly developed by the Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute, regional venture businesses, related companies, and KU.
With increasing concern around the world over global warming, there is a growing interest in electric vehicles as a preventive measure against this problem; such vehicles emit no CO2 while travelling. KU, especially the KU Venture Business Laboratory (VBL) and the Kazumi Matsushige laboratory the Department of Electronic Science and Engineering of KU Graduate School of Engineering, is working together with venture businesses and related companies to develop the Kyoto-Car. This car is a combination of cutting-edge technologies and traditional culture and art. KU has so far developed and announced stylish, beautiful and environmentally-friendly concept cars (with a one-tenth scale), presenting a successful integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as nanotechnologies and robot technologies, traditional craftsmanship, such as kyo-yuzen dyeing (computer graphics), and natural materials, such as Japanese lacquer. KU has also developed operable electric cars whose bodies are made of bamboo or other wooden materials, to accentuate the characteristics of Kyoto (the vehicle made with a bamboo body is nicknamed "Bamgoo"). KU has also developed an electric assist rickshaw.
Unveiled this time were two types of Kyoto-Car models whose bodies were fully covered with patterns of kyo-yuzen fabrics and nishijin-ori woven textiles, and also equipped with spherical micro solar cells (Sphelar（R）, by Kyosemi Corporation). Featuring beautiful patterns and new-type solar cells, these eco-friendly vehicle models attracted considerable public attention with their concepts and richness in Japanese traditional culture, resulting in extensive photo coverage by newspapers and the Internet. These models will be exhibited by December 8, 2009 at Kyoto-kan in front of the Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station.
 Press conference |  Exhibit at Kyoto-kan |