[ad_1]
After much teasing, the Audi Urbansphere concept has finally arrived as the newest member of the brand’s future vision of autonomous driving. For this model, the brand focuses on driving in large, densely populated cities.
The Urbansphere concept originated with work at Audi’s design studios in Beijing and Ingolstadt. The company even interviews potential customers in China to find out what they want from a vehicle like this.
48 Photo
High-Tech Interior
Audi designs the interior of the Urbansphere first, and then builds the exterior to suit all the demands of potential customers. The goal is that the vehicle becomes a relaxing space on wheels that provides peace for its residents while traveling in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city.
Inside, there are four seats in two rows. This allows ample room for the chair to be tilted as much as 60 degrees, and there is an extended footrest. Headrests wrap around passengers to give them a feeling of alienation, and each has speakers built into them.
The infotainment system for rear passengers is on a transparent screen that rotates downwards from the ceiling. The screen is almost as wide as the cabin. Residents can share the screen if they want to watch the same thing, or they can share what is shown.
Eye tracking and cameras monitor residents around the clock. Even when the chair is fully reclined, people only need to move their hands to control the system. Sensors can also detect if a person is under stress, and the vehicle can suggest activating meditation apps.
A neat touch to the dashboard are the instruments projected onto wood panels that span the entire width of the vehicle. A sensor detects where someone is touching to manipulate it.
Like the other members in this Audi concept family, the Urbansphere has level 4 autonomous capability. This means there are conventional controls if one wants to drive, but the vehicle can also drive itself. Audi claims this technology could be on the market in the second half of this decade.
Simple Exterior
It’s not easy to see in Audi photos, but the Urbansphere is huge compared to the brand’s other offerings. The vehicle measures 216.9 inches (5.51 meters), which provides the largest interior volume in Audi’s history. For reference, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade measures 211.9 inches (5,382 meters).
The Urbansphere body combines the look of a van and a crossover. The exterior has a minimalist aesthetic. Blunt front with short overhangs. There is a steep windshield that runs down the flat roof. The sides have subtle sculptures that provide visual appeal without being flashy.
The nose and tail feature a large array of triangular LED lights that can light up in intricate patterns. In addition to functioning as headlights and taillights, these elements can display messages to other road users such as a big flash, a red X or a big turn signal.
The urbansphere has a suicide door. When opened, a red light projects to the ground, and the seat rotates towards the person entering the vehicle.
Big Battery
The Urbansphere uses the Audi Premium Platform Electric and has a battery capacity of over 120 kilowatt-hours. The estimated cost range is 466 miles (750 kilometers).
The urbansphere is supposed to transport people around the city, so power is not the focus of this vehicle. An electric motor on each axle produces a total of 396 horsepower (295 kilowatts) and 509 pound-feet (690 Newton-meters) of torque.
[ad_2]
Source link
