Want to be a floating driver?
ㆍJapan’s startup ‘Fomm’ has created an amphibious electric vehicle capable of withstanding floods and tsunamis.
ㆍThis car is equipped with an electric motor and special parts that allow it to float on water in emergency situations.
ㆍIn the era of underwater cities, individuals can lead a customized life in autonomous electric vehicles beneath the sea.
It’s not flooded
You’re driving through a downpour in your car. You look around and see that the city’s infrastructure is sinking, and your car is filling up with rainwater. A small electric amphibious vehicle developed by a Japanese startup called Fomm comes to the rescue. This underwater electric vehicle is designed to operate on both land and water, providing a solution for emergency situations like flooding. Fomm CEO Hideo Tsurumaki was inspired to create this floating electric vehicle after witnessing the devastation caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami, during which many lives were lost as vehicles were swept away by rushing water. With the aim of reducing casualties during such disasters, Fomm expanded its operations into the Southeast Asian market, particularly focusing on the region’s rainy season and the increased frequency of floods due to the climate crisis. As part of this expansion, Fomm established a subsidiary in Thailand and introduced a small four-seater underwater electric vehicle to address the environmental challenges faced in the region.
This car is a lifeboat
Fomm’s amphibious electric vehicle, the Fomm ONE, can travel on water due to its “in-wheel motor” located on its wheels. When the front wheels rotate, they generate a water current, which is directed backward to propel the vehicle. The car moves forward by drawing in water through the motor and expelling it through the rear of the car body. Additionally, the interior of the car is constructed using boat parts, giving it the ability to float in an enclosed space and making it waterproof when the doors are closed. Another advantage is the modular design of the vehicle, which significantly reduces the number of parts used. The Fomm ONE incorporates around 1,600 parts, compared to the 30,000 parts found in a typical vehicle. The car features a steering wheel with an accelerator and a removable battery for cost reduction. However, it’s not very fast, as it can only travel at a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour on land and about 3 kilometers per hour on water. Nevertheless, if it can safely transport you in an emergency and, more importantly, save your life, then it has fulfilled its purpose.
‘Hyper-personalization’ even at sea
Fomm ONE is a small car weighing only 445kg. This car is more suitable for solo driving rather than carrying multiple passengers and is useful for short-distance travels rather than long-distance journeys. Therefore, if a futuristic ocean city is built, there is a high possibility that it will be highly regarded as a means of transportation. If you wanted to simply visit a supermarket or library in a sea-based urban area, wouldn’t it be convenient to travel around in a Fomm ONE? This is because currently, in order to go somewhere on the sea, one must take a multi-passenger motorboat or a giant cruise ship, slowly heading towards multiple destinations. In the future Ocean City, there will be a need for individual cars tailored to more ‘personal’ purposes. (Of course, this assumes that there are remaining issues such as improving the ability of Fomm ONE to stay afloat for longer on water and enhancing its driving speed.) The name of Fomm’s company means ‘First One Mile Mobility.’ This signifies an electric car company seeking mobility services for the first 1 mile. In the ocean, the era of personalization will continue. You could set your destination and autonomously travel in a personalized underwater electric vehicle based on your preferences. Let’s try becoming a “floating driver” with compact mobility.
