Is the future really all about autonomous vehicles as we have seen in movies like I, Robot (2004, 20th Century Fox), and Minority Report (2002, 20th Century Fox)? I can’t say for sure but judging from what many automakers and non-automakers like Kyocera and Huawei are working on, it may be the case. Perhaps, the question is when more than if it will become a reality.
![Volkswagen GEN.TRAVEL Autonomous Vehicle](https://d2cdo4blch85n8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Volkswagen-GEN.TRAVEL-Autonomous-Vehicle-1-1024x683.jpg)
Volkswagen is the latest to show off its vision of this future in a design study dubbed GEN.TRAVEL. Unveiled in September, this Autonomous Driven Research Vehicle is an all-electric powered Innovation Experience Vehicle (IEV) that is an actual prototype that has Level 5 autonomous capability – the highest level in the levels of autonomous driving which is full driving automation.
The car has a modular interior concept, making it a flexible, sustainable Mobility-as-a-Service alternative to short-haul flights. Basically, a driverless Uber, really. I doubt it will ever replace short-haul flights but I think you get the idea. The ultimate goal of the GEN.TRAVEL is to test the concept and new functionalities for customer response.
![Volkswagen GEN.TRAVEL Autonomous Vehicle](https://d2cdo4blch85n8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Volkswagen-GEN.TRAVEL-Autonomous-Vehicle-2.jpg)
Up to four people can travel in the GEN.TRAVEL and it can be set up for leisure or work – thanks to the aforementioned modular interior concept.
By now, I am sure you already know what to expect from such a vehicle. It’d be a super roomy vehicle, have all sorts of work and/or entertainment options, drives itself, and has a crazy level of transparent element for a good view of the outside world. It is not a concept that we are not unfamiliar with at this point, really. GEN.TRAVEL just Volkswagen’s interpretation.
![Volkswagen GEN.TRAVEL Autonomous Vehicle](https://d2cdo4blch85n8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Volkswagen-GEN.TRAVEL-Autonomous-Vehicle-3-1024x683.jpg)
![Volkswagen GEN.TRAVEL Autonomous Vehicle](https://d2cdo4blch85n8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Volkswagen-GEN.TRAVEL-Autonomous-Vehicle-4-1024x683.jpg)
All images courtesy of Volkswagen.