X

Images: The 21st-century taxicab

New York's taxis don't have to be retrofitted sedans from Detroit. They might even be designed for the passenger's benefit.
By Bill Detwiler, Contributor
11352.jpg
1 of 5 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

about the project

Bye-bye, Crown Victoria. Hello...? That's the question posed by a project called "Designing the Taxi," which seeks a 21st-century overhaul of New York's taxicabs. The nonprofit group Design Trust for Public Space asked the taxi industry, taxi regulators and design shops to rethink the iconic vehicles from the passenger's perspective, and proposals have been on display at Parsons School of Design, in an exhibit that ends Sunday.

11353.jpg
2 of 5 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

indea for interior

In this design, a passenger in the backseat has more to look at than a copy of the cabbie's hackney license. Other ideas for the inside of the taxi include a built-in baby seat. New York taxis will celebrate their centennial in 2007.

11354.jpg
3 of 5 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

exterior lights

On the exterior, lights give a better indication of whether the cab is in service, and whether the passenger is stepping out into traffic. The Design Trust sees the taxicab not just as a vehicle, but as a public space.

11355.jpg
4 of 5 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

alternative to yellow

At least one designer thinks it's time to scrap the yellow paint.

11356.jpg
5 of 5 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

leg room

Leg room is key in this design, but this one might be a little too open for the cabbie's comfort.

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
Holiday lights in Central Park background

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes

21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
Wooden lodge in pine forest with heavy snow reflection on Lake O'hara at Yoho national park

Related Galleries

Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting

21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
3D Rendering Christmas interior

Related Galleries

Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes

21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
img-8825

Related Galleries

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza

26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
img-9792-2

Related Galleries

A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex

22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
shutterstock-1024665187.jpg

Related Galleries

Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'
Full of promises!

Related Galleries

Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'

8 Photos