CES Las Vegas is nearly three months away, but that
hasn’t stopped Rinspeed from previewing their new microSNAP concept. As the name suggests, the concept
is a miniature version of the SNAP concept which debuted at last year’s show.
It’s so small that Rinspeed says the vehicle has the same dimensions as the
Renault Twizy.
Rinspeed was tight-lipped about details, but the
model follows in the footsteps of its larger brother and features a skateboard
chassis which houses an electric powertrain as well as all the technology that
is required for the car’s autonomous driving system. The chassis can be mated
an assortment of different bodies called “pods” and the teaser image suggests
Rinspeed envisions the concept could be used for everything from transporting
people to delivering food.
The skateboard and pod setup has a number of
benefits as owners can swap bodies on demand. When the model becomes old,
owners could simply recycle the skateboard chassis and replace it with a newer
version featuring improved performance and better technology. This could
potentially lower costs as the buyers would only need to buy part of the car.
While Rinspeed has been known for making some pretty
wild concepts, the company is committed to SNAP. As the firm explained, a
“startup is now on the drawing boards and talks with investors are underway to
put the SNAP on the road.”
There’s no word on when the model could go into
production, but Rinspeed boss Frank Rinderknecht said the days of large
delivery vehicles are over. Citing booming online sales and the emergence of
fresh food delivery, Rinderknecht believes there is demand for “small
autonomous vehicles that swarm out and deliver their goods to customers ‘just
in time’ and without detours.”
He certainly does have a point as a number of
companies are working on autonomous grocery delivery vehicles and a handful of
stores have already started pilot programs.
