Rinspeed Σtos Hybrid Concept
The Switzerland-based Rinspeed took the wraps
off the „Æ©tos“ hybrid sports car ahead of its official premier at CES 2016 in
Las Vegas.
The
automobile car manufacturer is known to emphasize occurring themes in the
automotive world through its unique creations. This time the motif is
“self-driving cars”, primarily from the perspective of the driver and
passengers, and a BMW i8 was used as a base for the project. Basically,
Rinspeed wanted to find out how much “human component should, must or may there
be in a machine” – as they described it.
Iit comes as no surprise to find out that the automobile is garnished with
“visionary high-tech”, implemented to almost entirely remove the need for a
driver. The technical highlight of the Æ©tos’ interior is the folding and
retracting steering wheel from ZF TRW. The unit “disappears in the dashboard” as described by the car maker in a few seconds, creating lots of space in the
front for the driver. Moreover, the position of the two curved 21.5-inch
ultra-HD monitors is individually adjustable to provide a better view of the
contents.
The
infotainment experience is highlighted by the Harman Connected Car technology,
which acts like a personal assistant, thinks, anticipates and provides
information without distracting the occupants. But if it’s imperative to enter
a command, the system can be controlled by voice, gestures, touch input or even
by the push of a button.
Eight
HD exterior camera are responsible for monitoring the vehicle’s surroundings
completely, making impressive 180-degree panoramic views in front and behind
the vehicle. To top it off, the system can double as virtual “exterior mirrors”
with an expanded field of view that has no blinds spots, while people and
animals are detected and tracked automatically.
But
the vehicle’s pièce de résistance must surely be the on-board DJI drone,
complete with landing platform in the rear. 12,000 individually controlled LEDs
can transform the platform into an electronic message board or a “a visual
dancefloor” – don’t ask us, that’s what Rinspeed says.
In
fact, the car maker goes on describing the drone as a UFO that can shoot
selfies of the ride, or can quickly pick up a bouquet of flowers for the
significant other ordered on the way home.
Anyway,
visual-wise, the Æ©tos does resemble an i8, but it has been heavily enhanced
with Rinspeed’s own style. For example, it sits on 20-inch Borbet GTX aluminum
rims and, get this, the company uses ceramic and metal alloys in the concept
that are applied at temperatures above 20,000 degrees Celsius and at supersonic
speeds.
Source : carscoops