What It Could Be Like In The Backseat

The European branch of Toyota launched a concept video that imagines the future of, essentially, the car window. The video shows a girl interacting with the window as if it’s a touch-screen that interacts with passing scenery. She also draws and trace objects on the window with her finger and able to zoom in on distant subjects and tap the screen to hear a voice that tells her what she’s pointing at. Giving the child an opportunity to learn new things in a fun way while spending time in the car.

I can see this sort of thing happening in the no-so-distant future, also if Apps get introduced (similar to apps on the Apple iphone), this can have multiple practical applications, from child education to games to tour group guiding.

The video is titled ‘Window to the World’ and was launched in partnership with the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design.

http://www.psfk.com/2011/08/toyota-imagines-what-it-could-be-like-in-the-backseat.html

Toyota workers to build Habitat For Humanity homes during parts shortage

Today’s big idea is a simple one that happened in some manager’s office and probably wont make a company any money, but it’s the right thing to do.

A Toyota plant in Texas has been hit by a parts shortage as a result of the Japan earthquakes and as a result the 2800 workers, that’s employed at the plant, are only productive 50% of the time. Luckily Toyota plans to pay the salaries of these employees during this time.

The plant’s management team came up with a great idea to keep the employees productive during this time. They are going to let the workers build houses for Habitat For Humanity, a non-profit, housing organization building simple, decent and affordable housing, during the time that they’re not busy.

I think this is a great idea, getting the employees to good instead of just sitting around. Nice one Toyota!

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/09/toyota-workers-to-build-habitat-for-humanity-homes-when-not-buil/