Tech | July 21, 2009 | 35 comments

Toyota's giant solar flowers popping up across US to bring good will, WiFi, and Charging Station

source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/21/toyotas-giant-solar-flowers-popping-up-across-us-to-bring...

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shocksopping
Very clever marketing, and useful to boot!

Article:


Now here's a smart marketing campaign. In an effort to raise awareness / interest in its 2010 Prius, Toyota planted five 18-foot tall "solar flowers" in Boston's Prudential Plaza and provided free Wi-Fi and electricity that was "partially powered" by the solar panels attached to the petals and stem. The so-called "Harmony Between Man, Nature and Machine" just disappeared from Boston but will next germinate in New York, followed by Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. We're not exactly in the market for a car right now, but we promise to think about it while we lovingly enjoy the free laptop charge and internet access.
  1. groups:
    Tech,   Green,   Awesome,   Solar Energy,   2 more
  2. tags:
    Green,  Cars,  Awesome,  Marketing,  2 more
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35 comments // Toyota's giant solar flowers popping up across US to bring good will, WiFi, and Charging Station

  • ipodrulz
  • ipodrulz
  • lordsbassman
  • bailey78
    • 0
      bailey78  

    • yep way cool but way strange also. Do they come in sun flower? when will they come too south Texas? better yet when will they make a mobile one that can be brought with you as you travel. A solar panel and WiFi in one togo. That would be great..

    • 2 years ago
  • Saladin
  • TheGecKOo
  • ColdWorld
    • 0
      ColdWorld  

    • The Philly mayor tried to get free Wi-Fi for all of downtown philly, but the telecom/cable/isp companies quickly shut his plan down for fear of losing profit. We are sheep, people.

    • 2 years ago
  • ColdWorld
    • 0
      ColdWorld  

    • The Philly mayor tried to get free Wi-Fi for all of downtown philly, but the telecom/cable/isp companies quickly shut his plan down for fear of losing profit. We are sheep, people.

    • 2 years ago
  • ALLNATURALVEGANS
  • gem7007
  • alivein85
    • 0
      alivein85  

    • i have never owned a car in my life.

      people just need to get over the idea that they need them so much.

      for instance

      if you work 2 miles or less from your home, walk. if you live less than 5 miles from your work, you can bike. and of course there is always city buses and car pools.

      if stupid americans realized they can walk a couple of miles a day (instead of driving), maybe we all wouldn't be so goddamned fat and so unhealthy.

      :)

    • 2 years ago
  • fernweher
    • 0
      fernweher  
    • alivein85:

      It's really hard to walk to work with weather changes, and the uniform that most offices require; especially for women. The only place this is really possible is in cities where everything is paved and even then, walking in most dress shoes will give you blisters after less than a mile.

      However, for many other trips walking is much better then driving, for the environment and individual.

    • 2 years ago
  • Leaora
    • 0
      Leaora  
    • alivein85:

      I live 20 miles from work and school. In my area there is NOTHING within walking distance except my old elementary school which I rode my bike to when I was old enough. I support walking when you can but sometimes that isn't feasible.

    • 2 years ago
  • Leaora
  • shocksopping
    • 0
      shocksopping  
    • Leaora:

      I'm in total agreement. I'm going to have to buy a truck soon, and the best I can do for the environment is to get a diesel, and burn veggie oil, which still isn't that great. I think once they figure out how to make hybrids or electric cars powerful, the technology will move to trucks, but until then, we're basically stuck.

    • 2 years ago
  • RaceBannon
    • 0
      RaceBannon  

    • Ya know in France does a similar thing in certain cities, free wi fi at parks to which also helps you get you out of your house and on your feet. Plus you don't have to beg TOYOTA for their benevolence for it...

      besides the prius is such crap, 3rd generation? gimme a break...

    • 2 years ago
  • gfletcher0913
  • LegendaryHater
  • vistapoint
  • 1realone
  • ZeldaMasterZapp
  • Djohnson2158
  • KyleAH
    • 0
      KyleAH  

    • Well that's something that cities should provide. I think there should be WiFi hotspots should be located in heavily populated parts of citys and in parks hidden in street lights. These flowers can be an example of things that benefit the community.

    • 2 years ago
  • islek
  • HiImGuss
  • Stradius
  • outtheinside
    • 0
      outtheinside  

    • i still think they have a lot of work to do on the looks. my family has one, and my only beef is that as a dude, i'd rather not drive it when i have the choice of it or my classic mustang - even though the mustang isn't economical in any sense. make it look sporty and then i'd be on the edge of deciding to have one. i would never pay that kind of money just for the sake of the environment. sorry. and i think the flowery marketing ad can be my case-in-point...

    • 2 years ago
  • Sam_the_Wizer
  • aquamammal
    • 0
      aquamammal  
    • outtheinside:

      People like you don't deserve shit.

      Fuck cars in general, but mustang? You outta yo' damn mind. Some other type of hyphe shit you on. Go fuckin' learn. That car you own will be worth like 5 bucks next year. Hopefully you know some place where they recycle scrap metal.

      XVX for life, R.A.S.H. 'til death.

    • 2 years ago
  • TenGig
    • 0
      TenGig  
    • outtheinside:

      While aquamammal may be a bit harsh in his response, the message rings true. This statement right here -
      "i would never pay that kind of money just for the sake of the environment." - is exactly why the Earth is in the mess it's in. Selfish individuals who view their own shallow behavior as more important than the planet that gave them life.

      So you you won't pay that money for the environment. Well, how about your children's future, or your grandchildren's? Is their quality of life and health important enough?

      Pull your head out and stop being a selfish, shallow, self-serving jerk.

    • 2 years ago
  • ColdWorld
    • 0
      ColdWorld  
    • outtheinside:

      outtheinside said: "i would never pay that kind of money just for the sake of the environment." -
      That is precisely the reason the environment is in trouble. It's also why the American Car industry is teetering on the brink of failure right now. We Americans are so egotistical, superficial, and generally short-sighted. That will be our demise if we don't change.

    • 2 years ago
  • Viciouspike
  • asherp
  • Djohnson2158
  • FreshPlastic
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