Imagining a future where an electric vehicle can autonomously transport both goods and people across the city, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a vehicle concept called Vision URBANETIC. Designed with interchangeable bodies, the vehicle will be able to convert from a car to a van in a matter of minutes.
With the concept being an electrically powered and autonomous chassis that can be fitted with different bodies depending on the situation, the Vision URBANETIC will be able to transport up to twelve passengers at a time and when fitted with a cargo module, the vehicle is converted into a van that is enabled to transport up to ten EPAL palettes.
“Vision URBANETIC is a completely new mobility concept configured specifically for actual needs as well as efficiency and sustainability,” said Mercedes-Benz in a statement. “During the rush-hour traffic of early morning and late afternoon, the fleet can be equipped with more people-mover modules. During other times, the system would mainly be used for goods transport with the cargo module.”
Being powered by an electric battery, Vision URBANETIC will emit no CO2 emissions and sound pollution, making the vehicle ideal for cities.
The Vision URBANETIC would also be embedded with an intelligent, self-learning IT infrastructure. This enables the vehicle to analyze real-time traffic information in order to calculate the most optimal route.
Mercedes-Benz has said in their statement that the vehicle concept will “reduces traffic flows, relieves inner-city infrastructures and contributes to an improved quality of urban life.”
