TechCrunch reports that Japanese robotics company ZMP has announced the availability of a four-wheeled, one-person, electric car, that can also be operated remotely or autonomously, the MEV-C, which is based on COMS, a vehicle Toyota started developing back in 2000. According to TechCrunch, the MEV-C comes with a stereo camera, a 9-axis wireless motion sensor, a GPS unit, a temperature and humidity sensor, a laser range sensor, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G and the so-called CAN (Control Area Network) protocol as an 'open platform' that allows buyers to access every piece of the hardware. Offered primarily as a ready-made research platform, the MEV-C goes for US$35,000. A video of an earlier version of the MEV shows the vehicle first being driven around a course, and then following the same path autonomously.
(Via Robots Podcast News)