GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Rinspeed microMAX

The concept car masterminds at Swiss-based Rinspeed have released more details on their next prototype vehicle, the plug-in electric microMAX car.

Touted as an ingenious vehicle that "merges personal and public transportation", the MINI-sized, micro bus makes use of 'swarm intelligence' to reduce urban congestion by sharing traffic information via Cloud (internet-based file storage) technology.

But for the swarm idea to work effectively there would need to be hundreds, possibly thousands of microMAX vehicles in operation, all communicating in real time with one another to "modify the routes dynamically to account for current traffic", says the Swiss car maker.

Set to debut at next month's Geneva motor show, the microMAX isn't quite as attention-grabbing as some of Rinspeed's past concepts -- such as the sQuba submarine car and iChange transforming vehicle -- but Rinspeed is confident the forward-looking idea behind the swarm community of vehicles will work.

In fact, Rinspeed boss Frank Rinderknecht, reckons the microMAX and 'urban swarm' theory is the way of the future for city transportation.

"We have developed an intelligent and eco-friendly mobility concept complete with its own vehicle that combines the benefits of personal transportation with those of taxis, car-sharing services and carpool concepts as well as those offered by public transit," he said. 

"It uses the powerful UMTS and LTE data networks in urban centres and operates in real time."

Rinspeed says the boxy creation could even rival trains and trams, as people search for short rides via a custom-made smart phone app, find the closest vehicle and hop on board.

Once in motion, there's WIFI access so occupants will always be connected.

Even cyclists are catered for, as bicycles can be 'piggybacked' on the microMAX for longer distances. An e-bike is already in development to integrate with the concept car, that has a top speed of 45km/h. 

No potential performance figures have been released, but power comes courtesy of a modified electric drive system from a forklift, with an output of 28kW.

The plug-in electric vehicle also features an "acoustic pedestrian safety system", which emits an engine sound that increases in volume as the vehicle gets faster, to warn pedestrians.

Access to the odd-looking concept vehicle is via automatically sliding doors, akin to a train. It also features a coffee machine and fridge and is designed to ferry up to four passengers around town in comfort, in high-mounted 'perch' seats integrated into the tall-bodied vehicle.

Measuring just 3.73 metres long, about the same as a MINI Cooper, the microMAX has been designed to replace trains, buses and taxis in busy cities, and if it ever made production its creators reckon it would be super cheap, selling for 5000 Euros ($A6500).

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