While the ability to choose an exterior color to match your outfit may sound enticing, it actually offers more practical applications too. For instance, try to miss it at night. According to research, over 60% of MVAs occur in the dark at stop signs or traffic lights. No matter what color its driver chooses, the GloCar literally glows when the sun is beyond the horizon, allowing it to be seen for miles. If it's immediately noticeable, it's less likely to be hit by an otherwise unobservant driver.
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| The coloring changing is not just eye catching but also practical. The rear panel acts as a brake light, and the sides as blinkers. (Photo: Ford Motor) |
But wait, there's more. "The rear panel doubles as a brake light, and the side panels as blinkers," stated Ford Brand Imaging Group chief designer Laurens van den Acker. "When somebody comes too close, the panels increase in intensity, signaling the driver to keep a distance."
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| Powered by fuel cells, built out of aluminum, and lacking paint, the GloCar is very environmentally friendly. (Photo: Ford Motor) |
Something this revolutionary couldn't just use conventional hardware to move it along, so Ford took the opportunity to incorporate its co-developed fuel cell drivetrain. It also makes use of lightweight materials such as aluminum, comprising its spaceframe, extrusions and castings.
Of course, aluminum is completely recyclable making the GloCar more environmentally friendly than cars made of steel. The same can be said of its lack of paint. Pollutant producing paint processes are eliminated, reducing environmental damage at the factory level.
According to van den Acker, "The GloCar projects and image of concern, safety, intelligence and lightness and takes the car from an aggressor to a protector."