Audi has revealed its latest concept study that demonstrates the automaker’s vision for the future of urban mobility. Called the AI:ME, the concept car was displayed recently at the Shanghai Motor Show and follows on from the AIcon concept Audi showcased at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. As the name suggests, the Audi AI:ME uses artificial intelligence and machine learning for its autonomous driving capability. According to the German automaker, the futuristic concept is capable of Level-4 autonomous driving, which needs very little input from the driver. Designed for the megacities of the future, the AI:ME has been designed to maximize the space inside the cabin while keeping the layout completely customizable. While the front seats are inspired by the living room lounge chairs for utmost comfort, the rear space can be used according to the need. It can be set-up just to used as storage space or fit seats for two extra passengers.
The car is also properly smart and relies on features like eye-tracking and gesture controls instead of physical buttons on the center console or the dash. A multifunctional, three-dimensional OLED monitor is placed right below the windscreen and acts as a medium to communicate with the driver and works alongside the eye-tracking feature. For in-car entertainment, the Audi AI:ME uses VR goggles for the occupants to get a fully-immersive experience. What makes the concept car’s cabin even more special is that Audi decided to give it real plants which will not only supply fresh air to the passengers but also make them feel closer to nature. It also gets a noise compensation system completely suppresses the sounds of the city making the inside of the car quiet and peaceful. “We designed the AI:ME entirely from a user experience standpoint,” said James Nissen, interior architect designer at Audi. We put ourselves in the position of the person who wants to drive from point A to point B in the city with the AI:ME — and to escape from the noise and hectic of the big city during the drive. That’s why our design process was primarily focused on the interior of the AI:ME.”
As you would expect, the Audi AI:ME is fully electric; however, Audi didn’t say much about the battery pack or the motors powering the car. As far as the design of the concept goes, it’s compact in size 4.3 meters by 1.9 meters with a hatchback body shape. The exterior design has styling elements similar to the newly updated Audi cars as well as the recent concepts showcased by the German auto giant. The AI:ME is the third concept car to join the marque’s progressive dialogue which started with the AIcon and PB 18. The fourth and final model of the series will be revealed at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in September, where all the four concept cars will be on display together.
