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NEWS
Rinspeed develops autonomous-drive concept car
... and either left or right-side passenger can elect to do the steeringSwiss automotive futurist company Rinspeed has developed an autonomous-driving concept car "Budii" which is due to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show opening on March 5, 2015.
Intended as a glimpse of what a future trans urban car might look like, the electrically-powered runabout has been designed, according to Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht, to not just drive around autonomously, but to be the driver's "Best Buddy" which understands human needs and takes the surrounding environment, including the actions of other vehicles, into account as it wends its way to dialed-in destinations.
An intriguing innovation is the ability for either front-seat passenger to take on the steering duties via a state of the art robot arm that can place the wheel on either side, or park it out of the way when the car is in full-autonomy mode.
The Budii concept car is the 21st proprietary concept from Rinspeed and was developed with a host of supporting companies from around the world. It was designed, according to Rinspeed, as part of a growing need to redefine the relationship between man and machine.
"Until now, what we have primarily associated with auto mobility was freedom and individuality. And – consciously or unconsciously – we are prepared to pay a high price in many regards for these privileges. We need only look at the accident statistics" Rinderknecht says.
He doesn't believe, though, that autonomous cars will take the world by storm overnight.
"The transition from traditional to autonomous driving will take place in stages. Consequently, man and machine will still have a few years left to get used to this new form of mobility and the different interplay between people and technology it will entail – time they both will need."
Although the Budii is touted as a glimpse of what a future autonomous car might look like, it is nevertheless perhaps the most production-ready concept yet to be produced by the Swiss company.
Numerous other car-makers, including Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Audi are working on autonomous cars with an aim to have vehicles on sale by 2020.
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Written byCarsales Staff
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