Movements in Mobility.
Memorable.
Motion.
Scroll for More
Movement.
Tracking Notable Moments in Mobility.
We live in an era of unprecedented innovation and transformation in the mobility sector. Movement highlights key developments in the field, drawing on designbivouac’s three decades of expertise in mobility.
Search Movement Entries
Honda Fastport: Last-Mile Delivery & Agility
In an era where e-commerce growth continues to transform our urban environments, the importance of last-mile delivery innovation is more critical than ever. Enter the Honda Fastport, a bold, purpose-driven concept that signals Honda’s reentry into the compact urban mobility landscape—this time with a clear focus on efficiency, electrification, and adaptability.
In an era where e-commerce growth continues to transform our urban environments, the importance of last-mile delivery innovation is more critical than ever. Enter the Honda Fastport, a bold, purpose-driven concept that signals Honda’s reentry into the compact urban mobility landscape—this time with a clear focus on efficiency, electrification, and adaptability.
Compact Yet Capable
The Honda Fastport (currently in prototype form) is designed to be small enough for congested city streets and agile enough for dynamic routing, all while offering surprising cargo flexibility. With a tight turning radius, modular interior, and a fully electric drivetrain, Fastport is optimized for the needs of delivery fleets navigating dense urban areas.
Its sliding side doors and low floor height make curbside access fast and efficient—important details when seconds matter during peak fulfillment cycles. The vehicle’s form is upright and purposeful, echoing a utilitarian sensibility more akin to Japanese kei vans or European microdelivery vehicles than conventional American delivery trucks.
Electrified for the Future
The Fastport rides on an electric platform that aligns with Honda’s broader carbon neutrality goals. The low center of gravity resulting from the battery placement not only improves stability but also creates floor-to-ceiling space for flexible storage solutions, whether transporting food, parcels, or medical supplies.
Range estimates haven’t been officially announced, but the concept suggests a balance between daily range needs and fast recharge capability—ideal for fleet vehicles running multiple short routes in a day.
Modular by Design
One of the most interesting aspects of the Fastport is its modular cargo bay, which can be reconfigured with racks, bins, refrigeration units, or shelving depending on the delivery need. Honda appears to be targeting both large-scale delivery networks and small business operators alike, hinting at an ecosystem where the same vehicle platform could serve florists, pharmacies, and parcel couriers without major customization.
This kind of versatility—combined with a small physical footprint—could make the Fastport an ideal solution not only for urban areas but also for dense university campuses, resorts, or even medical campuses requiring internal logistics.
Human-Centered, Brand-Aligned
From a design standpoint, Fastport reflects Honda’s approachable and human-centric DNA. Its exterior isn’t trying to look aggressive or tech-forward for its own sake; instead, it feels like a friendly tool, precise and thoughtfully executed. The design invites trust, which is particularly important in the delivery space, where vehicles represent a brand’s values as much as they carry its goods.
Inside, a simple, tablet-based interface streamlines logistics software integration, and the cabin is optimized for single-driver use with excellent visibility and ergonomic reach to cargo.
Why It Matters
The last mile remains the most expensive and complex part of the delivery journey. As municipalities begin to rethink how streets and curbs are utilized—and as sustainability mandates evolve—vehicles like the Honda Fastport present a compelling case for right-sizing mobility. It is great to see the genetic DNA of micromobility solutions diversifying as mobility solutions continue to evolve.
By focusing on flexibility, electrification, and driver-friendly design, Honda isn’t just building another EV—they’re rethinking how goods move across the final stretch.
If this concept is any indication of where Honda’s mobility vision is heading, expect to see a lot more thoughtful, compact, and competent solutions on the road—and perhaps even on sidewalks or bike lanes—sooner than we think.
For more information about the Fastport eQuad, visit https://fastport.honda.com or contact fastport@na.honda.com.
Fastport eQuad Prototype Vehicle Specifications
Quadricycle dimensions
Large Vehicle Variant:
Length 144 in / 3.65 m
Height 84 in / 2.1 m
Width 48 in / 1.2 m
Small Vehicle Variant:
Length 133.9 in / 3.4 m
Height 82.7 in / 2.1 m
Width 39.4 in / 1 m
Cargo box dimensions
Large Box Dimensions:
Length: 89 in / 2389 mm
Height: 60 in / 1525 mm
Width: 47.9 in / 1216 mm
Small Box Dimensions:
Length: 75 in / 1905.5 mm
Height: 57.5 in / 1460 mm
Width: 38.4 in / 975 mm
Maximum payload
Large: 650 lb / 295 kg
Small: 145 kg / 320 lb
Maximum speed
Large: 12 mph / 20 kph
Small: 12 mph / 20 kph
Range at maximum payload capacity
Large: Up to 23 miles, depending on the payload
Images: Honda/Fastport
Blank Slate: Modularity vs. Manufacturing
The newly unveiled Slate Truck is the kind of product that makes you lean in. A modular, electric utility vehicle designed to be rugged, repairable, and remarkably affordable? That’s a rare pitch, especially in a market where innovation often comes at a luxury price. At under $45,000, Slate’s offering feels like fresh air in the overbuilt, overpriced EV truck space. But a persistent sense of skepticism looms over all of this vehicle's promise. Can Slate deliver this thing? And more subtly—do we even like how it looks?
The newly unveiled Slate Truck is the kind of product that makes you lean in. A modular, electric utility vehicle designed to be rugged, repairable, and remarkably affordable? That’s a rare pitch, especially in a market where innovation often comes at a luxury price. At a cited price of under $45,000, Slate’s offering feels like fresh air in the overbuilt, overpriced EV truck space. But a persistent sense of skepticism looms over all of this vehicle's promise. Can Slate deliver this thing? And more subtly—do we even like how it looks?
Modularity Done Right
Let’s start with what Slate is doing well: the modular philosophy. The truck is designed from the ground up to be adaptable, with a platform architecture that welcomes everything from utility tool racks to camper builds. It's a truck you can reconfigure depending on your work week or weekend. That flexibility is typically reserved for niche upfitters or wildly expensive overlanders—not something you expect from a base model vehicle.
Slate also promises a parts-forward, repairable design that will appeal to DIYers, fleets, and budget-conscious buyers alike. Combine that with an accessible price tag, and it’s easy to see why excitement is building.
The Price is Right (Too Right?)
The Slate Truck's affordability is arguably its most surprising feature in a world where Rivians, Teslas, and Hummers dominate the electric truck scene at $70k and beyond, getting a robust EV pickup under $45k sounds almost too good to be true. And maybe it is. While Slate says they’ve partnered with contract manufacturers and are working toward production, history tells us that building cars—even “simple” ones—is one of a startup's most complex undertakings.
We've seen hopeful companies like Lordstown, Bollinger, and Canoo announce, delay, and sometimes collapse entirely. The gap between prototype and production is vast, and it’s littered with great ideas that never left the factory floor.
The Styling Dilemma
For all of Slate’s practical promise, it’s hard to ignore the elephant in the garage: the truck just isn’t that good-looking. While styling is subjective, the Slate Truck’s form feels like a design-by-function exercise that didn’t get much love in the aesthetics department. It’s boxy, sure—but not in a classic, purposeful Land Cruiser way. It’s angular without being aggressive. Flat-faced without being charming. The proportions feel slightly awkward, more industrial concept than finished product.
If Slate's goal is mass-market appeal, they may need to give the design a second pass. It doesn’t have to be flashy, but it could be better resolved, even if you mainly want this truck for what it does, not how it looks in your driveway.
Final Thoughts: Bold Ideas, Big Questions
The Slate Truck deserves credit for addressing real needs: utility, flexibility, and affordability. It’s easy to root for a vehicle that aims to serve rather than impress. The modularity is clever. The pricing is ambitious. The ethos—openness, repairability, adaptability—is the thinking we need more of in automotive design. However, the road from concept to customer is long, especially in an industry where many have failed trying to do less. Adding a somewhat underwhelming design that may not win hearts at first glance makes the picture murkier.
Slate has the right idea. Now we wait to see if they can build it and at what price.
Verdict: Love the concept, but skeptical of the execution. The styling doesn't help.
For more on mid-sized electric truck opportunities, see this post about the truck that Tesla should have or could still build.
Images: Slate Motors
Kia PV5 Weekender: Rugged and Modular #Vanlife
At the 2024 SEMA Show, Kia made a bold statement for outdoor and camping enthusiasts with the Kia PV5 Weekender concept. This versatile vehicle showcases Kia’s vision for a rugged, off-road-ready vehicle that doesn’t just handle the wild but also brings a touch of comfort to outdoor experiences.
At the 2024 SEMA Show, Kia made a bold statement for outdoor and camping enthusiasts with the Kia PV5 Weekender concept. This versatile vehicle showcases Kia’s vision for a rugged, off-road-ready vehicle that doesn’t just handle the wild but also brings a touch of comfort to outdoor experiences. Designed with the adventurer in mind, the Weekender concept merges functionality with cutting-edge features, setting the stage for a vehicle that feels equally at home on backcountry trails and urban streets.
A milder exploration along the same lines includes an EV9 with a three-inch lift and other overlanding affordances. Kia released van concepts with similar exterior design cues earlier this year. Slightly reminiscent of Canoo’s modular line of vans and trucks, which the company has struggled to bring to market, Kia is now showcasing a few vehicles at SEMA that share a similar cab-forward appearance and push modularity to the extreme. Kia’s latest Weekender concept video shows a home garage with slatted storage for various adventure accessories. These transfer into the Weekender’s slatted storage walls to meet the needs of the latest adventures on hand. Equipped with all-terrain tires, a heightened suspension, and a robust chassis, the Weekender is designed to tackle rocky roads and unpaved paths. The added skid plates and reinforced frame ensure that this concept vehicle can handle the roughest terrains, protecting its essential components on rugged trips. A solar roof and unique wind-powered turbine wheels top up power for included technology.
Kia’s Weekender is fully stocked with essential camping gear, making it a mobile base camp. It includes a rooftop tent, LED lighting strips, and a pull-out kitchenette for a seamless outdoor experience. A flexible cargo area allows for intelligent storage of essentials like hiking equipment and cooking supplies.
Kia has made strides toward sustainability with the Weekender, using recyclable materials in the interior and incorporating energy-efficient systems. The Weekender may also feature an electrified drivetrain, a promising step toward eco-friendly off-road vehicles that minimize environmental impact while exploring nature.
With the Kia Weekender concept, Kia taps into the growing trend of "overlanding," where the journey becomes as significant as the destination. This concept vehicle isn’t just about getting you to remote locations; it’s about transforming the journey into an unforgettable experience. Whether for weekend campers or dedicated explorers, the Kia Weekender is an exciting step forward in adventure-ready vehicles. Keep an eye on Kia as it blends technology, comfort, and rugged capability in future models!
While both models are concepts, let’s hope that some of this vision work influences future Kia models.
A pop-up canopy and slide-out modules increase vehicle space at the campsite.
Reconfigurable panels and furnishings lend flexibility to the design.
Images: Kia Motor Company