(from Honda Press
Release) ‘PUYO’ is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses
the sensation of touching the vehicle’s soft body. It is meant to
convey a warm, friendly impression.
The PUYO represents a new idea in mobility that brings together
‘clean’, ‘safe’ and ‘fun’ functionality in an environmentally
responsible, people-friendly minimalist design featuring an
ultra-high efficiency, small frame and fuel cell technology to
please both users and onlookers alike.
Exterior design
The development theme
for the PUYO exterior was to create a cornerless, ‘Seamless Soft
Box’ form that is kind to both people and the environment. The goal
was to create a personable design with the feel of an adorable pet,
while taking advantage of the maximum spaciousness of the box-shaped
design. The PUYO’s ‘gel body’ features soft materials to promote
greater real-world safety. Moreover, the body has been made
luminescent to guide people into the proper operating position and
notify them of the vehicle’s condition, facilitating a more intimate
relationship between people and their cars.
Interior design
Developed to have a
‘Silky Feel’, the PUYO’s interior is designed to provide a
refreshing, people-friendly space imbued with a feeling of
transparency. Features such as an instrument panel monitor, controls
that take advantage of the elastic qualities of cloth to rise up
when the vehicle starts up, luminous fluid meter displays, and a
joystick for intuitive operation are all designed to gently support
occupants’ senses and sensibilities.