In typical engineering, stability and maneuverability are often opposing goals. Boxfish have evolved to embrace instability — but with remarkable control. Their body shape increases drag slightly compared to more streamlined fish, yet that compromise enables agile turns and precise swimming within coral labyrinths — vital for escaping predators and navigating terrain.
Not only boxier, N-Box is significantly smaller than any minivan/MPV. It’s only 147cm wide and 339cm in length, while popular minivan like Odyssey is 199cm wide and 516cm long. It is a Kei Car, it’s made to squeeze through narrow road of japan and easier to park.
They are surprisingly maneuverable, though:
https://johnreycalesa.medium.com/the-energy-efficient-boxfish-an-unexpected-model-for-design-74e16baae864
there was a recent 99% invisible episode about this: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/677-the-borrowed-nature-of-biomimicry/
that boxfish car looks good
So like Honda N-Box basically, bad aerodynamic, unstable, but stupidly maneuverable in the world of gigantic cars. Easy to park too.
It is not basically a minivan/van with a slightly boxier shape?
Not only boxier, N-Box is significantly smaller than any minivan/MPV. It’s only 147cm wide and 339cm in length, while popular minivan like Odyssey is 199cm wide and 516cm long. It is a Kei Car, it’s made to squeeze through narrow road of japan and easier to park.