MIT has been showing off its latest futuristic concept: an electric two-passenger vehicle called the City Car, which can 'stack' together with other City Cars to form a more socially responsible way of getting around town.

It involves 'stacks' which are placed around a city, receive incoming City Cars, and charge them up again. Then commuters simply hop in the fully charged vehicle at the front of the stack and drive off: MIT says the idea is similar to airport luggage trolleys, although they're keen to stress it's not a straight replacement for cars, taxis, buses or trucks.

It's also got Wheel Robots inside...

What they? "fully integrated in-wheel electric motors and suspension systems" which "eliminate the need for traditional drive train configurations like engine blocks, gear boxes, and differentials because they are self-contained, digitally controlled and reconfigurable".

Oh, and they allow omni-directional steering too, which should make parking a breeze. So, when can I buy one? Oh, the technology is apparently patent-pending and "under design development" at MIT's Media Lab, so it could be some time before they hit the streets of London. Ah well. [Via Tech Digest]