GM Shows Off Their EN-V Car of the Future at the Detroit Auto Show

Sometimes, we think it’s awesome when things<a href="http://inhabitat.com/futuristic-solar-skyscraper-wins-the-taiwan-tower-competition/"> look like they’re from the Jetsons</a>. Or <a href="http://inhabitat.com/electricfied-tron-legacy-inspired-icehotel-suite-in-sweden/">Battlestar Gallactica</a>. Which is why we’re completely swooning over <a href="http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Mar/0324_env">GM’s EN-V</a> crazy-looking electric concept cars. The EN-V (Electric Networked Vehicle) comes in three different pod-like designs that function like a Segway-Smart car mash up. Click through for details and exclusive pictures from the Detroit Auto Show!

GM designed the EN-V to fill the niche of short-range urban transport, where roads are tighter and space is limited, but driving distances are shorter than rural or suburban trips. It’s about half the length of a Smart car and weighs only 900 lbs.

GM says the vehicles are designed to alleviate concerns about traffic congestion, energy usage, and accessibility for tomorrow's cities. Each model has its own unique style and color, but they all have two-seat cabins fitted onto a two-wheel base, co-designed by Segway.

The Xiao model is "lighthearted and carries a nautical-inspired theme."

Gyroscopic sensors balance the car’s weight and detect the direction and angle of tilt. The sensors can also independently rotate the wheels forward or backward as needed for balance and propulsion.

The Miao model was designed by GM's studio in North Hollywood, California, and was inspired by consumer electronics.

The EN-V uses sonar to detect pedestrians, other cars, and cyclists, and a slew of other gadgets – cameras, GPS, car-to-car communication – combined with the sonar allow the car to drive all by itself.

The bright red Jiao model was inspired by bullet trains and Chinese opera masks. All three models were first unveiled at the Shanghai World Expo last year.

Unfortunately, we won't see the EN-V on the road for quite some time. GM says it’ll be another 20 or 30 years before consumers really need this type of car, but we’re glad to see they’re thinking ahead.