This week’s SmartCar roundup features Mazda’s new connectivity system, Toyota’s concept electric car design, and two new personal transporters.

Mazda Connect

Mazda 3s set to go on sale this autumn will feature the car maker’s next-generation automobile connectivity system, dubbed Mazda Connect.

Mazda Connect aims to foster a deeper relationship between the driver and the car, thanks to its Human Machine Interface (HMI) based on its unique Heads-Up Cockpit concept.  Mazda Connect enables the use of a variety of web apps and services, such as Aha, by linking with your smartphone.  The in-vehicle software can be updated to support additional functions and evolving smartphone operating systems so that it will never go out-of-date.  It has a flexible hardware structure to meet a wide range of needs flexibility, and more apps and services for the system will soon be available.

Mazda is the first to finalize a global licensing agreement with Aha by Harman, a web content platform for automobiles.

Smart Insect

At CEATEC, Toyota showcased a prototype of a fully electric car.  Dubbed the Smart Insect, the car charges via a standard 100-volt AC outlet.  What makes this smart car look awesome are its gull-wing doors and motion detection, courtesy of Microsoft’s Kinect.  The on-board sensors will be able to recognize its owner based on face and body shape, predict the owner’s behavior by analyzing movement, and even be able to determine when to perform certain actions, such as opening doors.

Smart Insect also features a wireless charging pad, a dash-mounted monitor that connects to the driver’s handset, a button for dialing up Toyota’s virtual agent, connection to Toyota’s Smart Center, and there’s even a way to control your connected home with the car.

Personal transporters

Toyota and Honda recently unveiled new personal transporters that aims to help people who have difficulty in walking.

The Toyota Winglet looks a lot like the Segway but is less bulky.  It is controlled by body movements like leaning to your right or left if you want to turn, and leaning forward or backwards if you want to charge on or reverse back.

Then there’s the Honda Uni-Cub, which looks like an electric bike sans the handle bars, working like a moving chair.  Same as the Winglet, the Uni-Cub relies on body movements to get you going.  The difference is that it may look more comfortable for those wanting to sit and ride.

Both personal transporter are electric, so if this catches on, we may soon see charging stations in malls, airports and other establishments that would allow the use of these types of vehicles.