ANALYSIS >> SYNTHESIS: How this scenario came to be

Background

The source for this MindBullet is www.autospies.com

Lexus collaborates on the conceptualisation of the vehicle of the future in Steven Spielberg’s 2002 Film: “Minority Report”

For Lexus, it’s every Hollywood hopeful’s dream come true: a featured role alongside Tom Cruise in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming summer blockbuster.

The filmmaker has cast the luxury auto brand as the car of the future in his highly anticipated film, “Minority Report.” The film, due for release by Twentieth Century Fox June 21, stars Tom Cruise, Samantha Morton and Colin Farrell.

Based on a short story by science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, the film is an action-detective thriller set in Washington, D.C. in 2054, where police utilize a psychic technology to arrest and convict murderers before they commit their crime. Tom Cruise plays the head of this precrime unit and is himself accused of the future murder of a man he hasn’t even met.

When it came time to conceptualize automotive travel for the futuristic setting, Spielberg didn’t have to look any further than his own driveway for inspiration. “I’ve been driving a Lexus SUV,” said Spielberg. “And I thought Lexus might be interested in holding hands with us and going into a speculative future to see what the transportation systems and cars would look like on our highways in fifty years. The result of that exploration is something that elevates and transforms driving into an environmental experience.”

Ultimately, two featured Lexus vehicles were developed for the film—a radical red sports car and a private pod that rides on a vast urban magnetic levitation (MAG-LEV) system.

The sports car was designed for scenes calling for Cruise’s character to drive outside the city limits and was tailor-built to fit the star. The futuristic high-performance two-seat coupe flexes a muscular design with the ultimate in cab-forward seating, a low, enclosed wheelbase for sportiness, aggressive lines, and proportions so unexpected that, at first glance, it’s not entirely evident which end is the front and which is the rear.

The second vehicle—a private “pod”—rides on the film’s urban MAG-LEV system and features a full-glass roof and doors that, similar to sliding glass doors, open from the center to allow the occupant to step out. The MAG-LEV system itself operates on electrical/magnetic energy much like that which sends a bullet train speeding along with buildings and horizontal surfaces covered with “roadways” made of magnetic discs that support and propel various vehicles. In this accident-free, computer-controlled system, pods move at speeds of 80 to 100 miles per hour. In the future city’s transportation layout, private pods, taxis and multi-passenger cars all negotiate the MAG-LEV system—making seamless transitions between vertical and horizontal surfaces.

Conceptual artist Harald Belker—whose film design credits also include “Batman & Robin,” “Inspector Gadget” and “Armageddon”—created the custom Lexus vehicles. Spielberg, Belker, Calty (Toyota/Lexus design studio) and a team of futurists met early in the development process to speculate on what the future of automotive travel might hold, with Lexus ultimately providing styling, luxury and performance cues for the vehicles’ designs. The vehicles were constructed by CTEK, a Santa Ana, Calif.-based technology design and development firm.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of this,” said Denny Clements, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “We had the opportunity to dream about what cars and transportation might be like in the future, and then see that dream played out in the vision of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time…it doesn’t get much better than that.”

A promotional campaign for Lexus and “Minority Report” is also in the works and will include national television advertising, screening programs, in-theatre displays, online presence, additional auto show exhibits and dealership extensions.
Specifications:

• Engine: Smart recharging electric engine;
• Kilowatts: 500;
• Wheelbase: 106 in.;
• Length: 146 in.;
• Width: 82 in.;
• Curb Weight: 2300 lbs.;
• Chassis: Carbon Fiber & Titanium Composite Monocoque;
• Suspension: Titanium Composite, Fully-Independent Double-Wishbone with adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), Speed-Sensitive Automatic Height Control (AHC);
• Brakes: Computer-Controlled, Servo/Electronic, Ceramic Hybrid Discs, and Regenerative Electric System to charge all Systems;
• Wheels and Tires: 6-Spoke, Titanium Alloy, C-TEK Wheels, 22×9.5-inch with 285/30R22, High-Speed Run-Flat Tires;

Features:

• Heads-Up instrumentation with Night Vision and Organic Recognition capability;
• Color-impregnated, carbon composite body panels with dent-resistant memory;
• Body conforming bucket seats with automatic heating and cooling functions;
• Laser Guided Cruise Control;
• Stereolithography formed body panels;
• Body panels color selectable by owner voice recognition;
• All systems fully computer-controlled with Voice-Activated and Gesture-Recognition capability;
• All rearward vision via cameras rather than mirrors;
• Sonar Parking Assist;
• Switchable-tint glass all-around with solar panel glass in roof;
• Retractable solar body panels for recharging and interior climate control during parking;
• Information system display doubles as owner-recognizable personal computer;
• DNA Recognition Entry and Ignition System: Via sensory intelligence, the system allows owner to enter and start vehicle;
• Accident Avoidance System: Infrared technology senses what’s ahead to warn of impending danger. Sonar parking assist and rearward vision cameras;
• Dent resistant memory metal protects exterior from dents and/or scratches;
• Self-Diagnosis System: Car automatically detects and alerts any mechanical or electrical problems. Voice-Activated Concierge Service will schedule necessary service appointments. A Lexus representative will travel to owner’s preferred location to service the car;
• Auto Valet: Once the car drops the owner off, it then parks to recharge (its retractable solar body panels automatically adjust to accommodate recharging). Upon remote command, the car will arrive at requested location;
• Global Digital Entertainment System (with Universal Translator and Personal Digital Recorder): Comprehensive music library, archived with a global directory; updates daily via cyber connection. The PDR automatically records shows via request (similar to TiVo today). The system alerts to breaking news, weather, stock, and/or sports reports based on personal profile data;
• Voice-Activated Concierge Service (with Internet Search): Reserves restaurant, hotel and entertainment events via voice command;
• Weather Sensitive Response System: Solar panel triggers automatic window tint, adjusting the level of bright light to the driver’s sensitivity. Tire traction adjusts automatically to road conditions.

Lexus “Minority Report” MAG-LEV System & Pod
Model Year: 2054
The MAG-LEV System
Transportation in the futuristic “Minority Report” includes a vast urban magnetic levitation system (MAG-LEV). Horizontal and vertical surfaces are covered with roadways made of magnetic discs that support and propel vehicles. This is an accident-free, computer controlled system in which vehicles can move to speeds of 80-100 mph. In the city’s transportation layout, private pods, taxis and multi-passenger cars all negotiate the MAG-LEV system—making seamless transitions between vertical and horizontal surfaces.

The MAG-LEV Pod

Passenger pods are the main form of mass transportation in the future city. Pods travel singly on predetermined routes or join other pods with similar destinations and move in linear clusters. Inside, the seats and furnishings bear more relation to a room environment than a car. Private cars park inside of the owner’s home—providing additional seating room. While parked, the car performs maintenance checks, repairs, recharges and self cleans.
Specifications:

• Operation: System powered via magnetic levitation generator;
• Length: 16 ft.;
• Width: 5 ft.;
• Chassis: Carbon Fiber & Titanium composite Monocoque;
• Mechanics: 360-degree cabin rotation; No brakes or wheels;

Features:

• Color-impregnated, carbon composite body panels with dent-resistant memory;
• Body conforming bucket seats with automatic heating and cooling functions;
• MAG-LEV System Operated Cruise Control;
• Stereolithography formed body panels;
• Body panels color selectable by owner voice recognition;
• All systems fully computer-controlled with vice-activated and gesture-recognition capability;
• Switchable-tint glass all-around with solar panel glass in roof;
• Retractable solar body panels for recharging and interior climate control during parking;
• Information system display doubles as owner-recognizable personal computer;
• Heads-Up instrumentation with Holographic Video Interaction: Provides owner the ability to interact with those not present via holographic projections;
• Environment Adapter: Allow passengers to alter the internal cabin display according to personal preference (ex: ocean or garden view);
• DNA Recognition Entry and Ignition System: Via sensory intelligence, the system allows owner to enter and start vehicle;
• Self-Diagnosis System: Car automatically detects and alerts any mechanical or electrical problems. Voice-activated concierge service will schedule necessary service appointments. A Lexus representative will travel to owner’s preferred location to service the car;
• Auto Valet: Once the car drops the owner off, it then parks to recharge (its retractable solar body panels automatically adjust to accommodate recharging). Upon remote command, the car will arrive at requested location;
• Global Digital Entertainment System (with Universal Translator and Personal Digital Recorder): Comprehensive music library, archived with a global directory; updates daily via cyber connection. The PDR automatically records shows via request (similar to TiVo today). The system alerts to breaking news, weather, stock, and/or sports reports based on personal profile data;
• Voice-Activated Concierge Service (with Internet Search): Reserves restaurant, hotel and entertainment events via voice command.