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The Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept Comes Equipped With Its Own Drone

11.01.19 | By
The Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept Comes Equipped With Its Own Drone

Imagining a future when personal vehicles operate autonomously, powered by electricity while offering occupants a slew of displays/infotainment options isn’t too much of a stretch of the imagination. All of these technologies already exist at various states of reliability. But the recently unveiled Lexus LF-30 Electrified concept proposes automotive accoutrement on another level, equipped with its very own “drone-technology support vehicle”, a sidekick known as the “Lexus Airporter.”

The Tokyo Motor Show is always an event to look forward to, promising attendees a glimpse of numerous designs unlikely to see production or be offered outside of the borders of Japan. It’s also the annual event where concept vehicles reveal the future intentions of Japanese automakers. Such was the case with the announcement of the Lexus LF-30 Electrified days ago – a wildly futuristic electric with technologies “look[ing] ahead to the year 2030.”

If you’re wondering what Lexus calls this color, it’s ‘voltaic sky’, a new metal-infused coating resulting in a blue-green metallic hue.

The LF-30 Electrified’s sinewy, aerodynamic exterior carries a few hallmark traits traceable to the Toyota Mirai and Lexus LC Hybrid (the enormous front grill fanning out and to the sides doubles down on Lexus’ commitment to the aesthetic), but stands distinct with an abbreviated hood sweeping toward a raked windtunnel extreme, accentuated by the pinched torso between the front and rear wheels. The vehicle is also equipped to adapt depending upon driving conditions and road surfaces with the Lexus Advanced Posture Control technology, regulating drive-power output from high-torque electric in-wheel electric motors to adjust vehicle posture.

The interior lays out an equally progressive map of the future of transportation, serving both an autonomous driving experience and one controlled by a steer-by-wire system. The interior cabin is liberated by the battery-powered drivetrain, and accessible via gullwing doors. Lexus calls the interior treatment, “Tazuna”, a reference to traditional Japanese saddle reins and the innate connection between rider and steed, and supported by an onboard AI programmed to distinguish between riders by voice, adjusting the interior environment according to preferences.

A glass roof above the rear seats features voice control and a gesture controlled “SkyGate” display window enhanced with AR to display various types of information, such as a realistic star-filled sky, user-favorite videos, and even navigation.

The wildest bit of technology prognosticated for the year 2030: The LF-30 Electrified houses its very own autonomous floating drone support vehicle. The Lexus Airporter is intended to aid in carrying baggage or other loads like groceries from the car to the doorstep, a fanciful vision, but also a reminder today’s wildest concepts could possibly become tomorrow’s standard features.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.