toyota RiN

for the future to present itself we need to let the present become the past. perhaps more importantly, we need to stop clinging to the way that we presently know our world. the first step along this path is to get some distance from how we solve the problem of our needs as people. housing, transportation, food, warmth all arrive with a price that is clearly too high for our planet to pay. the problems of our needs have been solved but without concern for the consequences.

i live in a huge country. to get from one side to the other (legally) takes days. to travel from one side of the country i was born in to the other takes hours. using that as a measure of necessity, automakers have created solutions to the problems of transportation that consider the needs of the people in those countries.

having said that, i would be interested to know how many people actually drive their cars on a regular basis on inter-city or cross country jaunts. if the number is as relatively low as i suspect then it is long past time that we embrace the european and japanese model of developing cars that are purpose built. vehicles that afford transportation to more than one person at a time. vehicles that are capable of carrying groceries and household materials, have a minimal impact on the environment in terms of emissions, and that require a minimal amount of space for parking.

vehicles that are designed for short journeys . . . the real transportation needs that most people have, and not the imagined ones that the manufacturers have created vehicles to address. in turn, the vehicles we need to see being developed and appearing on our roads should through their own smaller scale and minimized environmental impact, lower the scale and nature of infrastructure needed to support their purpose.

“The RiN focuses on 'increased comfort' and 'serene, healthy living'. Through their relationship to the vehicle, drivers are encouraged to reevaluate themselves and, furthermore, to turn their attention to society and nature, producing a healthy rhythm for both mind and body.”

so opens the promo package for this unique vehicle - unique in both conception and appearance. the thinking (as you will see) is uniquely and decidely japanese and yet in writing that, i can see a group of north americans intuitively if not practically connecting to the essence of what is being said here both in words and in action.


* The deep-rooted and tall-growing Yakusugi tree was used as inspiration for the exterior and interior design of the RiN, to express both “harmony with nature” and “healthy mind and body”. This can be seen in details such as the leaf-shaped gas and brake pedals as well as other organic design cues.


* Promotes a healthier well-being thanks to features such as seats that help maintain good back posture and image displays aligned with the driver's psychological state that are conveyed within the meter cluster of the "mood-training" steering control.


* In addition to featuring comfortable, heated seats, an oxygen-level conditioner and pinpoint humidifier, the RiN also uses green glass that reduces the infiltration of ultraviolet and infrared light and makes the surroundings seem brighter and clearer to increase cabin comfort.


* Creates a feeling of harmony with the surrounding environment by using sliding doors with a low window that lets you view nature at ground level, as well as headlights with light distribution control that take into consideration pedestrians and vehicles coming in the opposite direction.


* Contrasts deep green with beige in its interior color scheme to richen the complexions of those onboard and evoke a healthy mental and physical feeling.


it’s difficult to imagine thinking of that order and can i say "nature" going into the development and sale of an suv isn’t it?!!!