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Stanford concepts put commuters on trikes (pictures)

A showcase of vehicle concepts at Stanford University's Center for Automotive Research hints at how we'll be navigating city streets in the near future. Time to rethink the four-wheeled car.

Sumi Das
Sumi Das has been covering technology since the original dot-com boom. She was hired by cable network TechTV in 1998 to produce and host a half-hour program devoted to new and future technologies. Prior to CNET, Sumi served as a Washington DC-based correspondent, covering breaking news for CNN. She reported live from New Orleans and contributed to CNN's coverage of Hurricane Katrina, which earned the network a Peabody Award. She also files in-depth tech stories for BBC News which are seen by a primarily international audience.
Sumi Das
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Switch Vehicle trike

A showcase of vehicle concepts at Stanford University's Center for Automotive Research Tuesday hinted at how we'll be navigating city streets in the near future. It's time to rethink the four-wheeled car.

Makers of this fully assembled Switch Vehicle pointed out that dropping a wheel has its advantages. You only hit a pothole once. And the trikes are legal in the HOV lane.

Click on for more photos of the prototype vehicles.

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Switch Vehicle kits

Switch Vehicle kits appeal to DIY EV enthusiast.
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Sway Motorsports

Afraid of tipping a motorcycle? Try the Sway.
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Arcimoto's SRK

Arcimoto's 6th generation SRK fits two people in tandem.
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Lit Motors' C-1

Lit Motors' working C-1 prototype is reminiscent of "Tron."
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Interior view of Lit Motors' C-1

Lit Motors' C-1 uses gyroscopes for stability.
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Stanford's PanaEve

Stanford's PanaEve design makes it easier to get in and out.
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Stanford Xenith solar vehicle

Stanford's Xenith has six square-meters of solar panels.
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KleenSpeed Technologies

KleenSpeed focuses on smart batteries.
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Local Motion

Local Motion vehicles, intended for campus use, would make driving more social.
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Tablet replaces dashboard in Local Motion vehicle

The display shows nearby points of interest.

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