Many people would like to avoid stressful driving on city roads, and the Audi AI:me concept offers one of the solutions to the problems of modern road transport. Designed specifically for the Shanghai Auto Show, this Level 4 self-driving car is a smaller, more personal urban vehicle of the future.
AI:me is definitely Audi, but at a new stage. Most of all, the absence of a branded radiator grille is striking in front, but upon closer examination, changes are noticeable in the approach to the headlights, which are seen not only as a means of lighting, but also as a means of communication. For example, different colors and patterns of light can alert pedestrians and other road users to the next level 4 autopilot activity.
The LED lighting has been installed higher than usual to be more visible to cyclists and other residents of the city. Projection systems can display special markings and other graphics on the road. Meanwhile, AI:me will also look at the environment. For example, if a car notices a stopped vehicle with a flashing light, it may decide to increase the indication by projecting brighter flashes.
At first glance, AI:me is hard to understand that this is a fairly compact car. With a length of about 4,3 meters and a width of about 1,8 meters, the electric car is significantly shorter than the compact Audi A4 with a similar wheelbase. By the way, this concept used rear-wheel drive (power - 125 kW or 170 horsepower).
At the same time, AI: me does not have a too large battery either: a charging capacity of 65 kWh is rather modest. Audi believes that both engine power and battery capacity are sufficient for a city car, which is the concept. “Urban transport does not need extreme acceleration values and high road speeds, as well as cornering agility and long range on a single charge,” says Audi.
More importantly, the automaker is counting on maximum machine efficiency in the 20 to 70 mph range (most likely in urban use) and highly efficient braking energy recovery.
Owners can control AI:me manually: after all, the car has a steering wheel, dashboard and pedals. However, Audi explicitly assumes that autopilot will be on most of the time, and then the controls disappear. The company says it approached AI:me from the inside, first by exploring the context of the cabin and potential passenger activities, and only then designing the exterior around it.
The front seats are more like sun loungers with retractable sofa leg rests when the pedals aren't in use. The back seat can accommodate two people and is like a sofa. It is strange that armrests are not provided anywhere and, in general, the interior does not create the impression of convenience. Hinged doors are designed for a more comfortable fit in the salon, but rather, they just look advantageous at the showroom booth.
Other technologies are also provided. Audi believes that voice and eye control play a key role in how passengers interact with the car, and there are also touch surfaces built into the interior trim. The 3D OLED monitor on the windshield uses eye-tracking cameras to understand where a person is looking and navigate infotainment menus.
Audi has a few ideas for what you can do in the cabin of such a car. For example, Audi Holoride is a VR headset that can combine virtual reality with the movement of a car. You can also use the Active Noise Canceling feature to cut out external noise to sleep or listen to music. Nature lovers will definitely appreciate the presence of living plants on the ceiling, designed to emphasize the environmental friendliness of the car. There are also recycled materials such as fabric or plastics, wood and the composite mineral Corian. Electrochromic windows can adjust their tint at the touch of a button.
Audi sees the future in a subscription to the use of such autonomous cars, and not in traditional ownership. The user can rent more than one car, but have access to various options by ordering the necessary one in a given situation through a smartphone. The desired car will be delivered to the selected location at the specified time with preset settings, multimedia and so on. Seats will be adjusted according to preference.
Audi expects users to be able to request a stop at their preferred restaurant, where they can take their food with them and then eat it on the go. Magnets can hold cups and plates, and the machine provides the smooth motion you need to dine comfortably while driving.
Level 4 autopilot is still far from practical, so fully autonomous Audi AI:me is unlikely to hit the roads anytime soon. However, this does not mean that the car should remain a concept. Indeed, the performance of the machine may appeal to many. The idea of maximizing interior space by placing the powertrain under the rear seat is an interesting one and helps to set electric vehicles apart from modern combustion solutions.
Source: 3dnews.ru