Friday Funny: Kids Create Dream Cars

What if cars could spread the benefits of education, alter the surrounding environment on an atomic level, or even break down language barriers? Most adults would dismiss such notions as wishful thinking, but sometimes it pays to think with the boundless imagination of a child. After all, it’s not so long ago that a car fueled by water or a plane powered by the sun were considered science fiction.

Since 2004, as part of its annual Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, Toyota has invited children from around the world to put their imaginations to work in creating their Dream Cars. The results range from the impressively practical to the downright unusual, but most importantly they all show abundant imagination, and they are all unique.

The response to this year’s contest was overwhelming: Toyota received a record total of more than 875,000 entries from 81 countries and regions. National Contests were held until March, with selected entries progressing to the World Contest in May. World Contest entries were judged by Toyota President Akio Toyoda and a panel of outside experts in art and automotive science, and winners were invited to Japan for the award ceremony on August 26.

This year, Gold Awards were given to children from Sri Lanka, Romania, and Paraguay across three age categories.

Gold Award: 7 And Under Category

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Toyota Alpha-Bird Car – The Universal Language Car: Sethumdee Dulanya Dewagamage, age 7, Sri Lanka

 

 

 

Gold Award: 8 To 11 Category

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Toyota Robo-Fly for girls in need, Ada Maria Ciontu, age 11, Romania

Gold Award: 12 To 15 Category

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NANO CAR, Azul Paz Servin Rodas, age 13, Paraguay

In addition, two newly-created awards were introduced in this year’s contest: An Engineering Inspiration Award and a special award selected exclusively by President Akio Toyoda.

President Akio Toyoda Award

Dream Society: A car that carries dreams and unites family living far away to live happily. Hye In Park, age 15, Canada

Dream Society: A car that carries dreams and unites family living far away to live happily. Hye In Park, age 15, Canada

“This artwork really conveys a sense of caring for one’s family and having love for one’s community,” said Toyota President Akio Toyoda. “It has a lot in common with Toyota’s desire to contribute to society by making cars. I hope we will keep making ever-better cars that make our customers smile.” PresAkio

Engineering Inspiration Award

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Ecofix Car: Running on fruit and vegetable compost, a car that will help people and the environment. Minhal Adnan Sami, age 9, U.A.E.

The new Engineering Inspiration Award, selected by Executive Vice President Mitsuhisa Kato, was awarded to the entry that most inspired Toyota’s automobile production staff. The winner of this category, the “Ecofix Car,” was converted into a 3D clay model by Toyota’s Prototype Production Division. Along with all winning entries, the clay model will be exhibited at Toyota facilities throughout Japan over the course of one year.3dmodel

Visit the event website to view more award-winning entries, photos, and video of the awards ceremony.