Toyota’s CALTY Design Research, the American design studio located in El Segundo, California, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate this milestone and envision the future, CALTY’s U.S. employees were given the task of creating a vision for the next 50 years. Inspired by Toyota’s collaboration with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, CALTY decided to explore the idea of space exploration and created the Baby Lunar Cruiser (BLC).
The Baby Lunar Cruiser is a moon rover that combines elements of the real Lunar Cruiser concept with design cues from the iconic FJ40 Land Cruiser. The front grille of the BLC, with its “TOYOTA” script, pays homage to the brand’s rich history of off-roading. However, the BLC is not just a retro-inspired vehicle. It features a protruding glass canopy that provides exceptional visibility and helps it navigate various terrains with confidence. The vehicle is equipped with airless tires and in-wheel electric motors, ensuring smooth navigation on any landscape. Additionally, a panoramic augmented reality dashboard display assists astronauts in their exploration.
Inside the BLC, spaceframe seats and M.O.L.L.E. panels offer high adjustability, allowing the crew to prepare for any adventure they may encounter. While the Baby Lunar Cruiser is a playful creation from CALTY, it embodies the spirit of exploration and bravery that initially drew Toyota to California when it established the design studio in 1973.
According to Kevin Hunter, the president of CALTY Design Research, California’s youthful and vibrant atmosphere, along with its cool car culture and glamorous movie industry, inspired the studio to create innovative designs and set new trends. Hunter emphasizes that CALTY’s role for the next 50 years will be to continue exploring, innovating, and inspiring in automotive design.
To get a closer look at the Baby Lunar Cruiser concept, you can watch the video below:
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As Toyota’s American design studio celebrates its 50th anniversary, it reflects on its past achievements while looking towards the future. CALTY Design Research has been instrumental in shaping Toyota’s design language and has contributed to the brand’s success over the years. With its vision for the next 50 years, CALTY continues to push boundaries and create innovative designs that inspire both within and outside the automotive industry.
The Baby Lunar Cruiser concept showcases CALTY’s creativity and ability to envision vehicles that go beyond conventional boundaries. While it may not become a production model, it serves as a testament to Toyota’s commitment to exploration and innovation. The collaboration between Toyota and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency demonstrates the brand’s dedication to advancing technology and pushing the limits of what is possible.
As we celebrate CALTY Design Research’s 50th anniversary, we can look forward to witnessing more groundbreaking designs and concepts from this influential design studio. CALTY’s passion for exploration and innovation will undoubtedly shape the future of automotive design, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for the next 50 years.
In conclusion, Toyota’s CALTY Design Research in California celebrates its 50th anniversary by envisioning the future with the creation of the Baby Lunar Cruiser concept. Inspired by space exploration and the brand’s history, this moon rover concept combines retro design cues with futuristic features. CALTY’s vision for the next 50 years reflects their commitment to exploration, innovation, and pushing boundaries in automotive design. As we look ahead, we can expect CALTY to continue inspiring us with their groundbreaking designs and contributions to the automotive industry.
