The Toyota Baby Lunar Cruiser (BLC) was one of several concepts the automaker unveiled for the anniversary. The concept borrows styling cues from the FJ40 Land Cruiser, with bold "TOYOTA" lettering across the front to let the Martians know what true off-road capability looks like. The vehicle has an expansive windshield canopy that extends around the grille for optimal forward visibility.
Inside, the BLC has a digital dashboard with augmented reality, dual joysticks to control the airless tires, MOLLE panels, and adjustable spaceframe seats. It has a full array of cameras and sensors, a split tailgate, and in-wheel motors.
Toyota Baby Lunar Cruiser (BLC) Concept
The company said it could design a rover capable of traveling over 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) using fuel cell technology. That would be less than 1,000 km short of traversing the moon’s entire equatorial circumference. That should quell any concerns about range anxiety, but good luck refueling it.
Toyota has signed a contract with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to build a new lunar rover in 2019. The plan is to develop a manned, pressurized craft capable of exploring the lunar surface.
Source: Toyota
