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The man who designed the iconic R2-D2 robot for the Star Wars films has transferred his energies to engineering research and is poised to unveil a pioneering "clean" car.

John Jostins, senior lecturer in design at Coventry University, used his background in the film industry and in motor racing to develop a prototype car that runs on hydrogen fuel cells. The Microcab will go on show for the first time at a rally in Trafalgar Square in London on June 5.

"It's not such a big leap [from R2-D2]. It's still an electromechanical device and has the same kind of building and design challenges. But it works and it's fantastic," he told The Times Higher .

Mr Jostins plans to develop five cars for a pilot scheme next year and hopes to produce 5,000 more by 2012. He said his next challenge could be in airship technology.