Mercedes-Benz unveils Vision Urbanetic autonomous pod

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a new concept for a pure-electric autonomous vehicle with interchangeable bodies that can convert it from a small bus to a van.

Claimed to have been created especially for urban dwellers, the Vision Urbanetic concept is based on a pure-electric platform that can cater to both commuters and businesses.

The thinking behind the concept, says Benz, is that the Vision Urbanetic cuts the number of vehicles needed, reducing traffic flow.

During morning and early evening, Mercedes says its new concept -- which is compatible with different bodies -- will operate as a ride-share vehicle as it can carry up to 12 passengers.

During the day, the Vision Urbanetic can switch to a delivery van in a process that can be done manually or automatically.

Measuring in at 5.14 metres long overall, the delivery van has a cargo module offering 10 cubic metres of space via a bed measuring 3.7 metres long, giving it the ability to carry up to 10 full-size pallets.

Maximising space, the Mercedes concept does without a traditional driver's cab as the fully autonomous vehicle does without a traditional steering wheel or pedals and requires no human input to operate.

As well as harnessing the car-maker's forthcoming driverless tech, the Vision Urbanetic also possesses artificial intelligence that can analyse the supply and demand chain in real time and react and learn to anticipate future needs of the companies it works with.

In bus mode, the driverless pod can identify crowds waiting for taxis, communicating with other buses to automatically hail them to the area.