Toyota's UBox Concept Was Designed For Entrepreneurial Generation Zers

Graduate students from Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), with help from some of Toyota's designers and engineers, created a concept car specifically for entrepreneurial members of Generation Z.

As you can see, it has a muscular exterior, tall ride height and some interesting aerodynamic features — all aimed at the youths.

The interior is versatile and incorporates custom 3D-printable elements the design of which can be created by the owner or sourced from the online community.

More than customizable, the interior was laid out to be both utilitarian for outdoorsy weekend activities as well as a career-centric office space.

The uBox is powered by, as Toyota puts it, a "compact, dual-purpose, all-electric powertrain" that is both fun to drive as well as a potent and emissions-free power plant. Occupants can charge consumer electronics, power tools or other devices from the onboard "110-volt sockets located throughout the interior and exterior."

For as great as that all sounds, none of it is exceptionally distinctive or futuristic. I mean, heck, the thing looks like an off-road minivan designed by and for Pee-wee Herman.

Regardless of my qualms with the design, it's great to see students thinking inside the box ... you know what I mean.