Here’s an interesting idea: instead of putting the airbag in the car, put the car in the airbag.

Sure it sounds silly, but XP vehicles, a start-up in California, is doing just that with their upcoming electric car, the Whisper™. Apparently, XP has taken the same sort of airbag technology developed to safely land recent NASA missions on Mars and used it to create an inflatable polymer car frame in which they pack all the essentials for it to actually be considered an automobile.

Not only does XP vehicles state that the Whisper™ will have a range of 2,500 miles using their “hot-swap XPack Multi-Core™ battery/fuel cell powerplant,” they are aiming for a price point of under $5,000. The cars will be sold direct online, initially only offered in Asian markets, and you will be able to configure them with a variety of different colors, decals, stereo systems, iPod mounts, and alarms - none of which will cover up for the fact that you’re driving a balloon.

*Link to full article below

I think this is a great idea, the fact that the cars can be shipped and built by the consumer would make the car more environmental friendly then current cars. But to me, it seems like it would not be fun when you’re caught in a collision with a non-inflatable Truck. What do you think about this?

Link to article: http://gas2.org/2008/06/02/inflatable-electric-cars-surround-your-body-in-bliss/

Very very cool concept but I would not get one, mainly because of the security concern that you yourself highlighted.  If I were in an accident with an SUV, I’d be completely flattened!  I am not going to take my risk on driving that car.  However, if everyone were driving more lightweight vehicles, then I would definitely consider it (considering how economical and environmentally friendly it is)

thats incrediby stupid! a fender bender would probably pop u, think of what an 18 wheeler would do o__o
i cant believe theyre actually gonna try to market this for thousands

Nice idea but i wouldn’t be interested in this car.The whole concept seems absurd with no added security.However thanks for sharing.

thats really great idea that they are developing them especially keeping environment in mind.

i dont see how either of those statements are true,
people salvage old car parts but i dont think anyone will recycle these cars in anyway…
and as for the development this seems like more of a downgrade of a regular car considering that if theyre hit,
theyre as flat as a pancake :\

I’ll offer another explanation,if there was a fender bender and it gets scratched,the air would rush out and lauch it in air (like a balloon) ,away from the crash or accident site,hence preventing the occupants.So how about that?

p.s. this stuff will never make it.

that makes me think,how pressurized is this thing anyway? is it going to feel like a car or like a bounce house?