The automobile sector has been the field that has experienced the greatest change in the technological fields, perhaps in the shortest time. In addition to the entry of companies such as Apple and Xiaomi into the automobile industry, well-established automotive giants continue their preparations to start electric vehicle production. The latest news in this sector came from a design company called Xtend Design.
In this period, where the space race is gaining momentum like never before, major automotive companies seem to have their eyes on ‘lunar exploration vehicles’. The US General Motors announced that they entered a joint project with the space company Lockheed Martin, and said that they would make a lunar exploration vehicle within the scope of this project. Similarly, Japanese automotive giant Toyota has started to design an exploration vehicle called the ‘Lunar Cruiser’. Xtend Design also said, “I’m in this race,” with the lunar exploration vehicle he designed.
Inspired by Skoda:
The designer of the vehicle called ‘Luniaq’, Tomas Rousek, states that this exploration vehicle can be used within the scope of NASA’s MMSEV, ‘Space Exploration Vehicle’ missions. Xtend Design, which has headquarters in the Czech Republic and London, introduced the exploration vehicle as part of the ‘Czech Space Week’. During the presentation, the inspiration for the design of the vehicle was also mentioned.
Rousek states that they were inspired by Skoda in the design of the reconnaissance vehicle. The electric SUV model, called the Skoda Enyaq, is very similar to the Luniaq in name. Rousek states that the rover, which is currently only in the ‘design’ phase, was designed in accordance with the harsh conditions brought by the physical environment of the Moon. It is not known when humanity will drive around on the Moon, but it can be predicted that if technology continues to progress at this rate, it will not be too far away. It shouldn’t be surprising if we talk about drag racing on the Moon 50 years from now.
First images of the rover (design):
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