Toyoda Gosei Flesby II concept debuts with soft, impact-friendly body at Tokyo
Toyoda Gosei’s Flesby II concept car, shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, features a soft, LED-lit exterior designed to protect pedestrians and preview future urban mobility materials.
Toyoda Gosei, a Japanese company specialising in rubber and plastic automotive components, presented the Flesby II concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. Distinct from Toyota, Toyoda Gosei is a major supplier to the automotive industry, and the Flesby II serves as a showcase of the company’s expertise in advanced materials and innovative design for future vehicles.
Introduction to Toyoda Gosei and the Flesby II
Soft Exterior Design for Urban Safety
The Flesby II’s most noticeable feature is its soft, bulbous exterior, created to minimise injury to pedestrians in the event of a collision. The body is covered in impact-absorbing materials, offering a new approach to vehicle safety that goes beyond conventional rigid panels. The soft green globes covering the exterior are not only visually striking but also serve a functional purpose by providing extra cushioning in the event of contact with people or objects.
Toyoda Gosei’s vision with the Flesby II is to address the challenges of urban mobility in the year 2030. As cities become more crowded and the number of pedestrians increases, the need for vehicles that can reduce harm in accidents is expected to grow. The Flesby II’s exterior design is a direct response to these concerns, aiming to make city driving safer for everyone.
E-Rubber Technology and Shape-Shifting Potential
A key innovation in the Flesby II is the use of e-rubber, a next-generation material that can change its shape when electrically controlled. While the concept car at Tokyo primarily highlighted the protective qualities of its soft exterior, Toyoda Gosei suggests that future versions could use e-rubber to alter the vehicle’s shape depending on driving conditions or safety needs. This technology could allow the car to adapt dynamically, offering new possibilities for both design and safety.
LED Communication and Exterior Messaging
The Flesby II incorporates LED lighting throughout its translucent body panels. These LEDs can display messages and warnings to people outside the vehicle, such as pedestrians and cyclists. This feature is part of a broader trend in the automotive industry, where exterior lighting is being explored as a way to improve communication between vehicles and their surroundings. As automated driving technologies become more common, clear communication with other road users is increasingly important.
Interior Concept and Additional Exhibits
Alongside the Flesby II’s exterior, Toyoda Gosei developed a separate concept for the car’s interior. This design uses soft-textured materials to envelop passengers, creating a cocoon-like environment that emphasises comfort and safety. LED lighting is also used inside to convey information and messages to occupants, continuing the theme of enhanced communication.
At the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyoda Gosei also presented two other concept displays. One depicted a futuristic interior for a semi-autonomous vehicle, highlighting how advanced materials and design can improve the passenger experience. Another featured a plastic front-end module equipped with exterior communication lamps, intended to indicate the status of the car to other road users. These concepts underline the company’s commitment to developing parts for future vehicles that focus on both safety and connectivity.
Implications for Future Urban Mobility
The Flesby II’s soft exterior and integrated LED messaging reflect Toyoda Gosei’s approach to the evolving needs of urban transportation. By prioritising pedestrian safety and vehicle-to-environment communication, the concept addresses some of the main challenges facing city mobility in the coming decades. As urban populations rise and streets become busier, innovations like those demonstrated in the Flesby II may play a significant role in shaping safer, more responsive vehicles for the future.
