RinSpeed has unveiled the MetroSnap concept, ahead of its debut at CES. Following in the footsteps of the previous Snap and microSnap concepts, the MetroSnap is a “modular mobility system” that features a skateboard chassis as well as passenger and cargo pods.
The pods can be swapped in a matter of seconds and this allows companies to use cargo pods during the day and then change over to passenger pods at night when there’s greater demand for them. The pods are also customizable and this allows the cargo pod to be used for everything from a customer-accessible parcel station to a “corner health food shop.”
The base of the MetroSnap is its skateboard chassis which features a rear-mounted electric motor that enables the concept to hit a top speed of 85 km/h. That’s not very fast, but the concept has been designed for urban applications where speed isn’t an issue. The electric motor is powered by a 12.2 kWh battery pack which gives the MetroSnap a range of approximately 130 km on a single charge. Since the batteries are integrated into the pods, the vehicle is fully recharged every time the pods are swapped.
On the styling front, the concept features 18-inch wheels, a digital license plate and micro-pixel LED lights which can project warning symbols onto the road. Inside, the passenger pod has digital displays, adjustable mood lighting and two rows of seats sourced from a Boeing 737. The latter are covered in knitted fabric and can fold down to create additional luggage space.
The MetroSnap is also fully autonomous and features an assortment of lidar sensors. Since there’s no safety driver, the model has triple-redundant steering and braking systems to “guarantee maximum safety.”
