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 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.
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.
All images courtesy of Volkswagen.
