Automotive

VW's Gen.Travel autonomous EV concept features modular seating system

VW's Gen.Travel autonomous EV concept features modular seating system
The Gen.Travel was unveiled at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance auto show on Sept. 25th
The Gen.Travel was unveiled at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance auto show on Sept. 25th
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The Gen.Travel is intended to be offered in a mobility-as-a-service model, as an alternative to short-haul flights
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The Gen.Travel is intended to be offered in a mobility-as-a-service model, as an alternative to short-haul flights
The Gen.Travel in its "sleep mode" configuration
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The Gen.Travel in its "sleep mode" configuration
All of the Gen.Travel's HMI (human-machine interface) elements are produced using sustainable materials
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All of the Gen.Travel's HMI (human-machine interface) elements are produced using sustainable materials
The Gen.Travel is a functional prototype
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The Gen.Travel is a functional prototype
The Gen.Travel was unveiled at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance auto show on Sept. 25th
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The Gen.Travel was unveiled at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance auto show on Sept. 25th
In all the seating arrangements – even when the passengers are lying down – an "innovative passenger restraint system" is claimed to keep them safe
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In all the seating arrangements – even when the passengers are lying down – an "innovative passenger restraint system" is claimed to keep them safe
All of the Gen.Travel's technical components are housed in its lower section, separate from the glass cabin
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All of the Gen.Travel's technical components are housed in its lower section, separate from the glass cabin
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If passengers are traveling in a truly self-driving car, they don't really have to stay in the traditional side-by-side, forward-facing seating position. That's where Volkswagen's Gen.Travel concept comes in, as it allows the seating to be rearranged for different types of trips.

Unveiled last weekend at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance auto show near Paris, the all-electric Gen.Travel is a functional prototype, designed to ultimately reach Level 5 autonomy. That means it could operate without any human intervention.

VW states that the four-passenger gull-wing-doored car constitutes a completely new vehicle category, "in the premium portfolio between sedan and MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle)." It is intended to be offered in a mobility-as-a-service model, as an alternative to short-haul flights.

Few technical details have been released at this point. Instead, the automaker is promoting the Gen.Travel's unique modular seating system, which is situated within the vehicle's transparent glass cabin.

The Gen.Travel in its "sleep mode" configuration
The Gen.Travel in its "sleep mode" configuration

For instance, if the vehicle is being used for a business trip, its four seats can be positioned around a central table – because, you know … businesspeople are big on holding meetings. For overnight trips, on the other hand, two of the seats can be folded out flat to serve as beds. In this configuration, an automated lighting system triggers melatonin production to help passengers fall asleep and wake up naturally.

Finally, for family outings, the front seats can be equipped with augmented reality systems to keep children entertained. In all the seating arrangements – even when the occupants are lying down – an "innovative passenger restraint system" is claimed to keep them safe.

All of the Gen.Travel's technical components are housed in its lower section, separate from the glass cabin
All of the Gen.Travel's technical components are housed in its lower section, separate from the glass cabin

Extra comfort is provided by an active suspension eABC (electric Active Body Control) system. It calculates the vertical and lateral movements associated with acceleration, braking and cornering ahead of time, and optimizes the vehicle's trajectory and driving style accordingly. Additionally, an AI-enabled platooning system – which will allow the car to travel in a convoy with other autonomous vehicles – should help boost its range by decreasing wind drag.

Plans call for the Gen.Travel to serve as a research vehicle. Feedback from test users may influence the design of future production automobiles.

Source: Volkswagen

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8 comments
8 comments
WB
just so lame... they talk level 5 autonomy - meanwhile they dont even have a level 2 program..
paul314
Can I have the one where you can just take the bleeping seats out (or all but one) for cargo capacity when you need it? I like the idea of large doors that don't obstruct getting all but the smallest objects inside.
Daishi
Concept cars aren't really meant to be realistic but short of building a new dedicated private road system for something like this it probably won't happen in my lifetime. If it does happen someday in the very distant future it will be hard to predict if an "automated lighting system that triggers melatonin production" would be more useful than withstanding attacking protestors.
TpPa
Maybe the some of the super rich who like to be driven around could handle this, but personal I like to have control over my vehicle, or at least be able to because I can still grab the steering wheel & hit the brakes
White Rabbit
@WB The Volkswagon Group site contains the following: "The all-electric powered Innovation Experience Vehicle (IEV) is a real prototype that drives autonomously (Level 5) and gives a realistic outlook for the mobility of the coming decade." Perhaps they don't know what they're talking about, but it seems more likely that you don't.
Daishi
@White Rabbit Level 5 autonomy still hasn't been achieved so it's not possible for this to be level 5. This is a theoretical prototype designed to exist after that happens but it is not actually level 5. The statement from VW is misleading.
Bob Flint
Butt ugly, I'd rather have a professional chauffeur, that can aggressively outrun anything else on the road, than this bulbous nigh mare crash test dummy mobile.
ljaques
Hideous vehicle with zero aerodynamics