Tata Pixel, 'turns on a sixpence'

[anonymous-user]

As the result of its clever drivetrain (UK PLC IP by the way), the turning circle on the Pixel, debuted at the Geneva Show recently is just 2.6m

Here is a video about it (go to about 1.30 in to see the turn)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncZVRulhqpg

[kieranjholland]

That's a bizarre little thing

[55allgold]

Impressive (although i know that these titchy cars aren't exactly PH material).

Although this bit is so depressing:

JPJPJP said:

clever drivetrain (UK PLC IP by the way)

So, for all of GB's expertise, it amounts to almost zero jobs in GB?

[rpguk]

I've often wondered why that kind of thing hasn't been used in roadcars more often.



Bobcats use that for steering. Obviously it's not much use for actual driving so it would only be applied when full lock was engaged.

Does it cause greater wear on the road?

[anonymous-user]

my thoughts are that taxis could benefit

[rpguk]

Indeed, their are rules on the turning circle of a Hackney Carriage in London, hence the proliferation of the black cab.

The new Mercedes Taxis which have become popular employ rear wheel steer to allow this.

[oniznorb]

55allgold said:

So, for all of GB's expertise, it amounts to almost zero jobs in GB?

Tata Technologies actually has quite a lot of engineering jobs in the UK

[eldar]

The Triumph Herald had a minuscule turning circle.

[55allgold]

oniznorb said:

Tata Technologies actually has quite a lot of engineering jobs in the UK

Maybe, but 5s at the Website shows that the 4000 employees covers [u]all[/u] of Tata technology [u]across the world[/u].

I was being specific in my disappointment that UK-generated technology resulted in so few UK jobs.

[davepoth]

55allgold said:

Maybe, but 5s at the Website shows that the 4000 employees covers [u]all[/u] of Tata technology [u]across the world[/u].

I was being specific in my disappointment that UK-generated technology resulted in so few UK jobs.

Of course, the IP could have come from JLR. That's a good story. The big story here is that Tata are bringing the Nano to Europe as a 2 door city car.

[richie barry]

auto test here i come?

[Stu R]

Looks great. Shame about the POS iPad rip off, but the rest is good thinking

[anonymous-user]

the IP for the IVT transmission and steering cleverness comes from Torotrak (a UK plc based in Leyland up in the north west).

The commercialisation of TRK's technology is starting to sound quite exciting

[oniznorb]

JPJPJP said:

the IP for the IVT transmission and steering cleverness comes from Torotrak (a UK plc based in Leyland up in the north west).

The commercialisation of TRK's technology is starting to sound quite exciting

It is taking a long time to get the transmission into production. Whilst I was at BL technology in the 1980s I worked with some excellent engineers in a powertrain department which had its origins in Rover gas turbine development. We had a Triumph Dolomite with the Perbury transmission 30 years ago. At that stage it was mechanically sound, if rather over capacity for the dolomite engine. The difficult part was the electronic control system. There were a number of proposals for use in commercial vehicles, and a formula 1 team were interested. Unfortunately BLT were never able to get the transmission close to production.

With the demise of BLT, development ended up with Torotrak. After many more years I hope all the effort will come to fruition in a production car in the near future.

[LuS1fer]

They'd sell millions in Italy, the way they park.

[cptsideways]

Looks like it has a trunnion type steering system, nothing new there! That was the in thing from the 30's to the 60's

[smileymikey]

So tell me please....how is getting your Ipad out of your handbag, booting it up in order to open your car door then scrolling through your apps to start the car and set the temperature......an improvement on buying a ten year old shed for eight hundred quid with a plipper on the key fob that opens the door, stick the key in the ignition to start it and if its too hot turn the heater knob to a bit colder......and if you find parking difficult, don't worry the motor was as cheap as chips. Give parking it a punt and if you hit something don't sweat it the car was cheap (which appears to be the philosophy in most cities I've driven in)

[Sneaky Schnell]

This looks like a cool little city car which looks great.

Of course the iPad is a faff and wouldn't make production just like the black glass and tiny mirrors.

The excessive lock and skid steer combined is inspiring. Also I've always thought that scissors doors should be more common on city cars.

It doesn't really matter if the idea is original or not. It's about capturing the public's imagination (and therefore their money). Apple didn't invent the mp3 player and they seem to be doing ok.

[PeterMartin]

Very interesting video, nice to see that the small car taking the turns at very little space and in very sharp angles. Quite impressive.