The zecOO electric bike made a splash online when it officially went on sale earlier this year, though it’s been known by people all around the world as the Akira bike for a few years now.
It’s still a little pricey at 8.88 million yen (roughly US$73,600), so we doubt any of our staff will be cruising around town on this bad boy until we’ve filled up a few more piggy banks, but fortunately the electric vehicle was on display at the Tokyo Motor Show and our very own Mr. Sato was able to check it out in person.
Take a look at his photos below and find out what clever new addition the bike is now sporting!
The zecOO featured at Tokyo Motor Show this year is pictured above, in all its black-and-gold glory! It looks more like something out of Tron than Akira with this particular paint job, but either way, the bike positively oozes “futuristic” out of every surface! The fact that it runs on electricity, which means full torque basically instantly, is just a nice side benefit. But aside from a color-scheme at home in a Batman film, what else is new about the bike?
We’ll give you a hint: It has something to with a company called TS Tech.
Admittedly, that’s a pretty horrible hint unless you know that TS Tech specializes in making seats. At this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the company was showing off prototypes meant for the self-driving cars of our (hopefully) near future. Apparently the experimental seats read people’s brainwaves and change colors, in addition to making other adjustments, based on the driver and passenger’s relationship.
Of course, the zecOO doesn’t look like it’s designed for passengers, so what is TS Tech offering? Take a look the two photos below…
▼ Notice that the seat-back on the right of the image is lowered here…
▼ …and raised here!
As you can imagine, as the bike speeds up, the rider tends to move backwards in the seat, often at an uncomfortable angle. As the bike gets faster, the seat back actually rises, helping keeping the rider in place. It’s an unusual design but seems perfect for a bike that looks as if it were yanked out of Akira.
Mr. Sato is clearly in love with this bike, but there’s only one problem for our handsome writer: he still doesn’t have a license! Though we’re not sure he has the savings for it yet either…
▼ Here’s a video of Mr. Sato astride the real Akira bike!
Check out of the rest of Mr. Sato’s photo below!
All images © RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Join us in congratulating Kaneda from Akira for his milestone on 17 March, 2018!
Giant pilotable robot appears at Japan Mobility Show, stirs our mecha-loving souls【Pics, vids】
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Defibrillator toys from Japanese capsule machines are so realistic they might save a life
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
We find “Yakushima Soba” on a mysterious menu at a souvenir shop at Yakushima Island’s airport
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
“Bumping men” are a uniquely Japanese class of criminals that are hard to deal with
Anime’s 10 biggest male perverts, as chosen by Japanese fans
How good is this popular wooden onigiri mould, made by a Japanese rice specialist?
Real-life Demon Slayer? A visit to the legendary split boulder of Haban Shrine【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Adorable Totoro acorn key holders come with a special guest hidden inside[Photos]
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says