Nissan's e-4ORCE Ramen Counter delivers bowl of ramen noodles without spilling a drop

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has released a YouTube video showing off the capabilities of its e-4ORCE Ramen Counter—a tiny car that delivers bowls of ramen noodles along a ramen counter and then stops quickly without spilling. It has also published a blog post explaining the technology behind the car.

Recently, Nissan announced the development of an electric crossover vehicle called Nissan Ariya. In addition to the usual features of such cars, Nissan announced it had added new technology to manage the suspension of the vehicle, claiming that it offered customers unparalleled comfort. The new technology came in the form of two small motors installed under the car's floorboards—one near the front wheels the other near the ones in back. Each was tasked with receiving information regarding driving conditions and then responding to them by offsetting actions that work contrary to a smooth ride. That means that drivers and their passengers experience reduced G forces as the car accelerates and reduced braking forces as it slows to stop. It also means less rattling when driving over uneven pavement or potholes.

Nisan explains in the video that the little car has the same technology as the Ariya and that the little car is able to demonstrate its capabilities in ways that are not easily shown with a full-size car. As a graphic shows, a small car carrying a bowl of ramen noodles would experience spillage as the car suddenly slows and the momentum of the liquid runs up against the side of the bowl and over the top of its rim. But with the e-4ORCE Ramen Counter, the momentum is controlled in such a way as to prevent the liquid from rushing up against the side of the bowl, thereby preventing it from spilling over.

Nisan does not say in its announcement if the company plans to market the little car or if it is merely a marketing gimmick.