To some extent, these changes are already happening. The advent of autonomous electric-powered vehicles means that passengers’ needs, rather than those of the driver, are now taking priority when it comes to future automotive design. This will transform the design of cars both inside and out, as the need for fundamental elements we’ve always taken for granted as necessary–mirrors, gears, and even steering wheels–changes.
According to Audi’s Head of Design, Marc Lichte, this throws up both challenges and opportunities: “By rethinking, and thinking outside the box, we create a shift from classic car design to a user-centered, holistic and unique vehicle experience design,” he says.
In essence, users will experience a car rather than drive it. There’s a belief that we’ll want different cars for different purposes, which has led the German mobility brand to predict that car ownership will likely change, with a growing preference to use cars ‘as-a-service’ solely when required.
Audi is preparing for this exciting new era by creating four concept cars–each one catering to four contrasting customer needs. Named AI for Audi Intelligence, these concept cars encapsulate the company’s technological expertise–and a recognition that there are many ways of getting from A to B. Audi’s plan is that, no matter how you do it, travelling by car will be an experience in itself.
Interurban travel: The AI:CON
Long-distance travel between cities can be pretty tedious thanks to congested roads, the concentration required, and the sheer amount of wasted time. This would all change, however, if you found yourself on board the AI: CONwhich feels like a first-class airplane cabin (minus the turbulence).
Instead of a steering wheel, pedals, and dashboard buttons, the interior features wide, minimalist surfaces, a large seating area and LED lights that illuminate when passengers climb aboard. “The driver’s cabin offers all the amenities of modern communication electronics, and perfect operator ergonomics for your long-distance city-to-city travels,” says Lichte.
This car drives itself, so there isn’t much you need to do–apart from sit back, relax, read, or even sleep. However, should you wish to watch television, surf the web, or join a conference call–all of which are possible here–controls are touch sensitive, voice-activated, and some use eye tracking. The exterior is equally impressive: Instead of headlights, triangular pixel ‘segments’ detect other road users and relay that information back to the autonomous driving system, which factors in the appropriate safety considerations.
On-track enjoyment: The AI: RACE
For those not willing to give up the thrill of driving just yet, Audi has created the high-performance AI: RACE. Lichte describes this as, “a consistently focused concept, which is designed as a driving machine for the race track and road.” Everything has been created to give the optimal driving experience. “The user has the possibility to position the movable monocoque shell for solo driving on the race track as in a monoposto single-seater race car,” Lichte continues.
As well as being able to slide the cockpit into the center, the car’s external aerodynamics have been given serious consideration too: with a height of just 3.8 feet (1.15 meters), a drag-reducing vertical rear window, and an aluminium and carbon body that limits weight–you’ll have to look elsewhere if you’re after extraneous luxuries. Put simply, the AI: RACE is all about maximising speed and acceleration–taking just two seconds to go from 0 to 62mph (100km/h). Performance like this requires a huge amount of energy, but the AI: Race also recovers large amount too–thanks to clever on-board systems–helping it to optimize its energy consumption. What’s more, with the right charging facilities, its battery can be fully recharged in 15 minutes. Plenty of time to recharge your own energy levels with a punchy double-espresso.
Urban Travel: The AI:ME
If high-speed track days aren’t quite your thing, then look no further than the aptly-named AI:ME, which aims to do the impossible - replacing the stress of city driving with a bit of me-time. There is, if you wish, the option of driving the car yourself while traffic is quiet, then, when rush hour hits (or you’ve more important things to do) the car can take over. The steering wheel folds down and – ta-da – a table folds out, giving you a comfortable, functional work space.
“The focus of this urban vision is to positively encapsulate the user from the external influences of the city,” says Lichte. “AI:ME offers the user more personal freedom and becomes a third living space in the hectic everyday life. The users can freely organize their time on board, because the interior offers a wide range of high-tech services for communication, entertainment or simply relaxation.”
The idea is that the AI: ME is an ‘Oasis of Calm’, with an interior inspired by the domestic living room. Seats are as comfortable as armchairs, real plants improve air quality – and connection to on-board Wi-Fi internet is quick and easy. What’s more, temperature, ambient lighting, and seat positioning all adjust themselves to suit your own personal preferences. With a commute this comfortable, traffic jams might end up being something to savor.
Off-Road Travel: The AI: TRAIL
While the interiors of these concept cars are hugely important, with the off-road AI: TRAIL, what’s going on outside matters too. “Slowing down and being on the road with your eyes open – that is what we want to connect,” says Lichte about this adventurous design. “The large glass surfaces of the body allow an incomparable view of the landscape – a ‘helicopter feeling’ – whereby the boundaries of the interior are shifted to the outside.”
Thanks to the car’s dome, passengers get an unimpeded view of the natural beauty around them. Perhaps the neatest accessories, however, are the five drones which fly ahead of the car in different formations – lighting the way or using their cameras to gather information about any likely obstacles ahead.
The AI: TRAIL experience is geared around enjoying the great outdoors, so instead of the usual rear seats there are two removable hanging chairs that can be taken out and used when you find the perfect photo opportunity – or simply want to sit back enjoy the peace and quiet. “Our aim was to draw the user's attention to the surrounding nature, says Lichte. “So the colors and materials of the car are completely subordinated to the nature experience,”
While these four concept cars are all highly individual, each is based around the idea that automated driving allows you to win back time – something that too many of us have in short supply. They also show how this time can potentially be used in diverse ways – something that clearly excites Lichte: “Inside the AI:CON and AI:ME, the passenger wins quality time for a lot of different things – like working, entertainment and infotainment, relaxation and many more – whereas for the AI:RACE and AI:TRAIL you win of quality experience with the car itself.”
However you would decide to use this extra time, Audi’s mission is to make sure it won’t be wasted.
Further information on official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO₂ emissions of new passenger cars can be found in the guide “Information on the fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and electricity consumption of new cars”, which is available free of charge at all sales dealerships and from DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Hellmuth-Hirth-Strasse 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen, Germany (www.dat.de).
