This Micro Nissan Micra Is a 1/150th Scale Model That Actually Drives, Thanks to Under-Road Wiring

Pseudonymous maker "diorama111" has an obsession with miniaturization, which has culminated in an impressive creation: a functional "micro" Nissan Micra, with headlights, turn signals, and motion, built to a 1/150th scale.

"[This] 1/150 scale car runs along [a] wire embedded underneath the road," diorama111 explains of the device, which is easily balanced on the tip of a single finger. "Start, stop, headlights, and turn signals are controlled by remote control."

Despite its diminutive size, the car is effectively self-contained: inside the vehicle, which has a 16.5mm (around 0.65") wheelbase and 4mm (around 0.16") tyres, is a tiny 30mAh lithium-polymer 3.7V battery which drives a Microchip ATtiny1616 microcontroller, the lighting system with functional and independently-controllable left and right turn signals plus headlights, tail lights, and brake lights, and a steering mechanism.

"The steering moves along embedded wires," diorama111 admits, "so the car can only run on a set route." Despite this, it's entirely functional — and built by hand, with tweezers, tiny drill, and patience. "The battery is charged by inserting a small self-made charging pin into a hole on the bottom of the car."

Control of the car comes through a handheld remote, allowing the vehicle to drive along a miniature roadway, stop at traffic signals — showing off the working brake lights — and turn corners, with or without indicating.

The full build is detailed in the embedded video and on diorama111's YouTube channel; the maker has also published a schematic for the electronics and source code for the microcontroller's firmware.