Rinspeed
Budii
The
vision of autonomous driving will soon become reality and will fundamentally
change the interaction of man and automobiles. While the research centers of
the automotive industry are still feverishly working on the technical
solutions, progressive thinkers such as the Swiss idea factory Rinspeed are
already giving concrete thought to how automated private transport will
transform the car and the man-machine system. Besides fundamental conceptual
changes, this will also have to involve issues of ethics and society.
In the past, the robots in the factories of
this world merely assembled cars for people. In the new “Budii” concept car
from Swiss automotive visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht the machine now literally
reaches out to man: if the occupants of the autonomously driving electric
vehicle feel like having some fun at the wheel on a twisty country road or off
road, a robotic arm will hand the steering wheel to the driver of front
passenger as desired, thereby transferring command. The sensitive 7-axis unit
from Augsburg-based market leader Kuka is more than merely a steering column,
however. In theory, it will make endless adjustment options possible: for
example, during automated driving in the daily commute it parks the steering
wheel in the center with minimum space requirements or it serves as a table or
attentive personal valet. This is made possible by the unique and
multi-redundant “steer-by-wire” technology from Paravan.
For
the automotive idea factory Rinspeed the robotic arm in “Budii” is a symbol and
food for thought at the same time. Rinspeed-Boss Rinderknecht puts it as
follows, referring to a joint study with consulting firm EY: “The autonomously
driving car will require more than solving technical problems and legal issues
in the next two decades. We not only have to redefine the interaction of man
and machine, but must also raise questions about responsibility, tolerances and
expectations.” According to Rinderknecht, autonomous driving will undoubtedly
offer the opportunity to make traffic more people-friendly and reduce the
number of traffic accidents worldwide. “But even the best technology will not
be perfect, albeit less prone to error than humans. That is something we will
have to accept,” says the boss of the Swiss powerhouse of automotive ideas
Rinspeed. “We should not develop a blind, but rather a healthy trust in the new
capabilities of the hardware and software.”
“In
the future, cars will do just as we do: they will keep learning every day, and
as a result will get better and better at mastering the complex challenges of
modern-day private transport.” To this end, “Budii” will take information from
its surroundings, its own “experiences” and those of other vehicles along its
route into consideration. The long-term result will be a cognitive and
intuitive autopilot. The Swiss company will demonstrate what such a “friend on
wheels” could look like with the trans-urban SUV “Budii” at the 2015 Geneva
Motor Show.
Its
entirely new operating and display system features a host of innovative
entertainment, safety and service functions, and is based on the
next-generation scalable platform from Harman, the world market leader in
infotainment systems. The technologies of Rinspeed’s long-time main partner
integrate all features of the RoboCar and quasi bring “Budii” to life. The
system independently identifies the habits and preferences of the driver, and
consequently reduces the necessary operating steps to a minimum. In this way,
the car turns into a learning and proactive companion. The Harman audio
division supplies the premium sound system of the Harman Kardon brand, letting
“Budii” indulge its passengers with music in best HD quality.
The
HMI design was created by Luxoft, the lightweight-construction aluminum frame
for the central display by Georg Fischer Automotive. NXP with its intelligent
networking technologies provides the secure connection of the car and its
occupants to the outside world. This includes radar and ‘Vehicle-to-X’
solutions as well as automatic payment for parking via NFC, cell phone charging
by means of wireless power charging, clever access solutions, and a keyless
entry remote for unlocking, starting and customizing the vehicle. In addition,
solid state lighting products provide the proper LED lighting on the vehicle.
In
keeping with a long-standing tradition, the electrically powered eye-catcher
based on the BMW “i3” was engineered by Swiss company 4erC. The technical
implementation was in the hands of Esoro, which also put “Budii” on sporty
19-inch 8-twin-spoke alloys from Borbet. The technical goodies include an air
suspension with a ride-height adjustment range of 100 mm, which will ensure
that fun escapes from daily routine will continue to be possible in the future.
A telescoping laser scanner from Hamburg-based Ibeo Automotive Systems on the
roof called “TrackView” can be raised by 70 centimeters and delivers a precise
3D perspective by means of sensor fusion.
In concert with a high-resolution camera from Kappa optronics it maps
the terrain. As a result, the ride height and suspension of the vehicle are
adjusted accordingly. What’s more: it also makes it possible for the driver to
identify and avoid potential obstacles at an early stage, and even have the
vehicle do so autonomously. As a special
gem for mobility on the final stretch to the destination, the development
engineers have incorporated two electric two-wheel mini vehicles that are
housed conveniently in retractable automatic drawers on either side of the
vehicle.
Comfortable
access to the interior is provided by the innovative electric door opening and
closing system from technology leader Kiekert, while privacy during autonomous
driving is ensured by a folding fan system from Zypalis whose leaves can be
custom-printed. Front and rear multifunction panels from Swiss company Weidplas
integrate turn signals, brake lights and tail lights. They also use ambient
light effects and communication elements to stay in contact with other road
users. The integrated fiber optics and semi-transparent covers of these panels
are made from PMMA supplied by specialist chemical group Evonik, and attached
using Sika bonding and sealing materials.
The
fact that electric vehicles can also be sexy and emotionally charged - in
Rinspeed’s view even have to be in order to sell better - is proven by
“Budii’s” bright anthracite paint finish with sparkler effect. In the interior,
designed jointly by Hornschuch and Strähle+Hess, silver-colored and
midnight-blue “skai” surfaces as well as the cognac-colored textile with
signal-orange highlights in edging and band create a feel-good lounge
atmosphere. The floor carpets and floor mats were supplied by Racemark
Industries, the innovative rear shelf made from thermoplastics by Schoeller
Spinning Group. The finishing touches for the entire interior decoration were
added by the firm of Mansory. Removable Plexiglas worktables allow relaxed
working during autonomous driving.
The
air outlets with ambient lighting in the dashboard, the wellness shower in the
headliner and the center console with cup holders and stowage compartments for
cell phones complete with inductive charging function come from Dr. Schneider
Group. A particularly efficient electric heating system from Eberspächer
ensures cozy warmth in the interior. It also provides pre-heating of the
battery and ensures a convenient auxiliary heater function. In keeping with the
times, the system is controlled via smartwatch or smartphone.
The
look through the steering wheel reveals the world’s most intelligent watch
winder. That is another trick “Buddie’s” robotic arm has up its sleeve, proving
it truly is a friend of the driver: it uses ingenious motions to wind the
movement of the classy and technically sophisticated “Manero PowerReserve”
watch from Lucerne-based watchmaker Carl F. Bucherer as soon as the
high-resolution Kappa camera in the interior recognizes that the power reserve
displayed on the watch face is about to be depleted. Well yes, sometimes they
are also a little bit playful at the Swiss think tank and mobility lab Rinspeed.
As
in the past, Saarbrucken-based advertising agency Vollmond has also staged the
twenty-first Rinspeed concept car to full effect.
