Neowin.net

Thankyou Asaf Doron who sent me this news via email:

Experience the highs and lows of qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2002. Select from international teams and begin your journey to 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan ™. This will incorporate more user feedback than ever before, including an expanded injury-fatigue system and informational “hotsheets” which update user to status of teams, players, upcoming opponents, etc.

• A customizable controller allows users the flexibility to re-program buttons and control the action on the pitch to their liking.
  
• Player detail is better than ever before, including more authentic faces, hairstyles, player accessories, etc.
  
• “In the game” audio featuring localized commentators and dynamic differentiation between home and away SF/X.
  
• FIFPro License that includes all the names and likenesses of FIFPro’s member associations.
  
• Friendly, League, Custom, Training and 2002 FIFA World Cup™ Qualification game modes.

View: Fifa 2002 Website
Download: Fifa 2002 Demo for the PC (15.4mb)

The back of the car, similar in design to the front, has a tail-like wagging antenna.

It's not quite KITT, the high-tech talking sports car in the 1980s Knight Rider TV series. The emphasis is more on "cute."

The car is driven with a joystick-type controller and does not have foot pedals, but it does have sensors to detect a driver's emotional state and give advice in driving.

It takes pre-recorded data of an expert driver, compares it with the current driver's style, and displays words of praise or warning on a centre monitor.

Calming effect
The pod can also tell when the driver is in a hurry, measuring the degree of acceleration, the distance from the car in front and the pulse and perspiration of the driver.

Not only will it display a warning, but it will try to calm the driver down with relaxing music and by blowing cool air.

Memorising its driver's driving style, the pod automatically adapts operating characteristics to the optimal level for that person--for example, by softening shock absorbers on rough roads and stiffening suspension on winding roads.

Nor does it forget those special moments, taking photos when the tone of the conversation indicates it is a happy one.

A small portable terminal, called a mini-pod will memorise the musical and TV program preferences of the driver and choose background music and provide shopping information.

Approach the car with the mini-pod and it lights up, opens the door, swivels the seat for easy entry as well as adjusting the seat's height. Switch off the engine with mini-pod, and the car falls in height and bids the driver farewell.

Toyota, which has been keen to woo younger drivers, and Sony which has been developing interactive technologies seen in its robot-dog Aibo, have been working on the car since last year.