Autonomous driving technology is set to transform
the design of automotive interiors so seating supplier Adient has presented its
AI18 innovation demonstrator at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Looking like a futuristic transport pod, the AI18 concept
is a vision of how autonomous electric vehicles could look like in the future.
It has been designed to appeal to city dwellers and has relatively compact
dimensions for easy maneuverability.
The real story is its interior which is
highly flexible and "well-suited to evolving models for mobility and
vehicle usage such as car sharing." As part of this flexibility, the AI18
concept boasts five unique usage options which each adjust the seating
configurations, space, and functional features of the vehicle.
The first setting is called Lounge mode and it is
designed to provide optimal comfort and relaxation for one or two passengers.
When this mode is selected, the seats use their proprietary anthropometric
pivot to recline beyond the normal range. The seat's headrest, armrests, and
leg rest are synchronized to match the reclined position and provide plenty of
support and comfort.
Communication mode goes in a different direction as
it turns the interior into a mobile meeting space. It enables the front
passenger seat to rotate 180 degrees so both the passenger and driver are
facing each other.
When the car's owner is off the clock, the AI18 can
transform into Family mode which deploys two rear seat cushions to increase the
seating capacity to four people. Cargo mode is pretty much the exact opposite
as it stores the rear seat cushions in the trunk to maximize cargo space.
Lastly, there's Baby plus mode which has been
designed to address the needs of parents with small children. In this mode, the
passenger seat is rotated 180 degrees and one rear seat can be extended forward
so parents can easily interact with their children.
