Open source "c,mm,n" car hits Amsterdam

A group of Dutch researchers recently took the wraps off what they claim to be the world's first open source car, rolling out their "c,mm,n" vehicle (pronounced "common") at the AutoRAI car show in Amsterdam for all to see and potentially modify. While it's not clear if that open sourceness extends to the whole thing running on Linux, you will be able to get your hands on the vehicle's complete technical drawings and blueprints, and of course submit your own tweaks and improvements for others to do as they please with. As it currently stands, the car keeps things environmentally-friendly with a hydrogen engine, and apparently lets "c,mm,n" drivers share traffic information with one another, although that would seem to be be a less than effective solution until folks start modding these en masse.

[Via Core77]

[kingofwale @ Mar 30th 2007 8:48PM]

ok, why are we TRYING to prolong this stereotype that any green-cars have to be dorky, ugly and silly looking?

Same goes with anything energy efficient have to somehow be more expensive. It's almost like companies are bagging on the idea that consumers want to help out the environment so they can get rich from it.

[tekdroid @ Mar 30th 2007 8:50PM]

not much to say in English on the website, but interesting concept. I wonder if the "open sourceness" transfers to the composition of the materials used.

[Andir3.0 @ Mar 30th 2007 9:01PM]

Wake me when they fork to an optimized version that's fast, agile, preferably two seats, low to the ground, red, and will pin you to the seat when you take off.

[Ayle @ Mar 30th 2007 9:50PM]

Tesla Motors

[NewJohnny @ Mar 30th 2007 9:20PM]

Open source? Wake me when the brakes are out of beta.

[Tom @ Mar 30th 2007 9:37PM]

K i appear to be the only one to realize the similarities in design of a wooden clog and this automobile. Its a dutchmobile.

[Josh Forman @ Mar 30th 2007 9:47PM]

It reminded me of The Homer:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_Brother,_Where_Art_Thou%3F

[PXLated @ Mar 30th 2007 10:01PM]

That's one ugle mutt ain't it!

[synthaxx @ Mar 30th 2007 10:05PM]

@kingofwale:
That's the beauty of open source, if you don't like it, change it.
I'll look forward to the changes you'll make, just make sure they include lasers.

That said, NewJohnny makes a good point. Having installed Linux on my primary PC i can attest to it being "grumpy".
I really don't want a car that needs me to enter command lines just to get it into reverse, or worse, a core dump when traveling on the highway (with you being the "core" and the dump being the car disintegrating around you)...

[Dave @ Mar 30th 2007 10:10PM]

I don't know why everyone thinks its ugly. It's 2007. This is the closest any of us will ever get to driving a spaceship. I'm on board.

[eskimo @ Mar 30th 2007 10:50PM]

Can we mod that front end to get RID of the wannabe cow-catcher?

[2Perfect @ Mar 31st 2007 12:28AM]

Will it be free to download too?

Lets go for Open Source humans next time :) You can modify the DNA to create your own perfect human, as long as you share the details with everybody!

[justaboutnormal @ Mar 31st 2007 12:53AM]

Okay, this thing is the ugliest piece of carp I've ever seen, but the open source concept is beautiful. Soon (as with other OS projects) this car will surpass those of the retail market.

I do, however, share the concern that people will test their concepts before sharing them. I would hate to see some idiot unable to stop because he tried out yet untested brakes, and see him wreck into me and fall into a comma because we got into an accident. Why? I don't like hospital food, and the first think I want to eat when I wake up should be something better.

But right on, it's about time someone got on the ball and started this.

[voinivich @ Mar 31st 2007 2:19AM]

It almost looks like those Goldmember clog-mobiles
and its Dutch...

[iMaarten @ Mar 31st 2007 4:05AM]

Could I remind you that this is the typical Dutch car industry

Spyker:
http://www.wallpaper.net.au/wallpaper/automotive/Spyker%20C8%20Sypder%20T%202005%20-%201024x768.jpg

Donkervoort:
http://www.fourtitude.com/news/uploads/Features/001__scaled_600_036.jpg

So before you say anything about our cars and design. Look into what is really produced in my country, Spyker and Donkervoort are the only real manufacturers besides some contracters for other automotive industries.

[Nbcdnzr @ Mar 31st 2007 4:21AM]

According to the website it's designed to look like a pebble. Well, pebbles make for ugly cars apparently. It's also just a concept of what an ideal car would look like in 2020. I wouldn't worry about traffic safety just yet.

[Matias Korhonen @ Mar 31st 2007 6:53AM]

Why doe it look like, well, the way it does?

[aide @ Mar 31st 2007 7:19AM]

whyy do all the furle cars have to be so ugly. if this is the way the futre going im gonna have walk everywhere

[Chuckles McGee @ Mar 31st 2007 10:34AM]

That thing will be safe to drive as soon as someone codes the drivers for the airbags.

[Charles Thomas @ Mar 31st 2007 11:45AM]

This got me to thinking about the legal ramifications of open source cars.

http://demonstrativeevidence.blogspot.com/2007/03/open-source-who-is-designer-for-product.html

[Scabrous Vermicelli @ Mar 31st 2007 12:44PM]

This could be the world's safest car. They'll have zero accidents, because nobody wants to be seen driving the thing!

[Speaking of "things," ugly, and open source: anybody remember the Volkswagen Thing? This was basically a WWII Kubelvagen resuscitated for the 1970's American consumer market. Their whole advertising schtick encouraged owners to repaint and reconfigure the car to their liking.]

[Esther Hoogland @ Apr 20th 2007 6:24AM]

Happy to tell you all that the website now has an English section! You’ll find the English pages in the blue bottom line. Come have a look and tell us what you think on the message board www.autoindetoekomst.nl/forum!