# Futuristic Amphibious Autos The Urban Pod is Evolved For Modern Metropolitan Transportation By Amelia Roblin | Published 2013-01-11 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-pod References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2013/01/10/explore-the-urban-jungle-in-style/) & [behance.net](http://www.behance.net/gallery/URBANPOD/3093577) Paulo Encarnação's Urban Pod will catch your eye thanks to its [compact and futuristic appearance](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dacia-hipster). There is certainly value in the aesthetics of the conveyance and even more so in its nimble nature, which is ideal for navigating heavy traffic and narrow streets. However, it would be a shame to look no further as the specs of this cool concept car make inner-city travel so much more convenient. The curved roof of the insectile [electric vehicle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kg-motors) is equipped with photovoltaic cells for recharging, helping to power its many impressive features. It's got fingerprint sensors for unlocking and operation, parking radar and it monitors the pressure of its tires so that you don't have to. The [egg-shaped cabin](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-iris-etrike) of the neon green Urban Pod accommodates two people and, when inserted, an innovative USB key ensures that the specific driver's personal settings are configured instantly. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Compact Urban Transportation:** Innovative and compact urban transportation solutions such as Paulo Encarnação's Urban Pod maximize convenience for inner-city travel. - **Sustainable Mobility:** The use of renewable energy sources and eco-friendly materials in futuristic amphibious autos such as the Urban Pod is a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies in the sustainable mobility industry. - **Smart Vehicle Technology:** Fingerprint sensors, parking radar, and other advanced features in upcoming vehicles like the Urban Pod demonstrates an opportunity for increased use of smart vehicle technology across the automotive industry. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Automotive Industry:** As companies continue to push for advances in electric and autonomous cars, there remains an opportunity to create innovative urban transportation solutions like the Urban Pod. - **Renewable Energy Industry:** Increased integration of photovoltaic cells in futuristic amphibious autos such as the Urban Pod creates a disruptive innovation opportunity for the renewable energy industry. - **Smart Technology Industry:** The use of advanced features like fingerprint sensors and parking radar in upcoming vehicles like the Urban Pod marks an opportunity for growth in the smart technology industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Transforming Autonomous Transportation Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arrival-chemie.md) - [Weather-Inspired Autonomous Car Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/citron-la-mto.md) - [Socialization-Encouraging Travel Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/agorae-mobility-concept.md) - [Oversized Well-Appointed Electric Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audi-urbansphere-concept.md) - [Transforming Commuter Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audi-vista-roadster.md) - [Hybrid Design Commuter Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-city-car.md) - [Streamlined Two-Seater Electric Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-electric-car-concept.md) - [Electric Transportation Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-transportation-concept.md) - [Autonomous Pod Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/homm-autonomous-experience-pod.md)