We're not sure the Chessmobile would actually work, but here's the idea driving it: the cabin rests atop a platform that can move it around in the event of a crash, keeping the passengers out of the deformation zone — the area of the car the crumples on impact. In theory, the passengers would experience a lot less of the force, or at least the cabin wouldn't be smashed in, so injuries are a lot less likely. Still, you'd need something strong holding the cabin to the platform — all that force could just snap the two away from one another and send the cabin flying.

The Chess car is a concept by Dutch designers Frans Hegge and Thijs van der Zanden. Check out the gallery below for more on the Chess car.

Via

2008 Michelin Design Challenge