The idea for the unusual design came from Fast Company's Mark Wilson, and was distilled into renderings by product design firm Argodesign. Wilson says the aim was to create something that could provide the social experience of a car, but that could be a sporty personal urban transport vehicle too.

As with many concept designs, the Lane Splitter is more a flight of fancy than an exercise in practicality. It is 128 in (325 cm) long and, when in car-mode, takes the form of a buggy-like vehicle. Inspiration for the design came from as varied places as the Batman Tumbler and the work of Syd Mead. When its two halves are separated, the Lane Splitter becomes two closed-top motorbikes.