The futuristic concept vehicle Volkswagen Gen Travel Concept, made its debut at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance festival, Paris, France. The concept autonomous vehicle features a fully reconfigurable cabin that turns a seat into a bed.
Volkswagen presents an innovative design study that is redefining the long-distance mobility of the future. The electric-powered Innovation Experience Vehicle (IEV) is a real prototype that drives autonomously (Level 5) and provides a realistic view of the mobility of the next decade.
With the Gen Travel Concept, Volkswagen has developed an iconic study packed with innovation which is a completely new vehicle category in its premium portfolio between sedans and MPVs (Multi Purpose Vehicle).
This electric-powered concept car invites autonomous driving and turns the driver into a relaxed passenger who has time for other things, namely work and even relaxing with family.
The Gen Travel Concept seat can be repositioned. There’s a “conference setup” with four chairs and a large table in the middle, Volkswagen says it creates a pleasant work environment while helping relieve motion sickness. There’s no excuse not to finish the presentation, during this car ride.
The configuration in an overnight setting allows the conversion of two chairs into two beds that can be folded into a fully flat position.
The Gen Travel Concept lighting system helps passengers fall asleep and wake up naturally. For family trips, the front seat Gen Travel Concept can be configured to entertain children using augmented reality (AR). The interior is light, with a natural design. All HMI (human-machine interface) elements are manufactured using sustainable materials, combined with recycled or natural materials.
Klaus Zyciora, Volkswagen Group Head of Design, explained that the Gen Travel Concept offers us a glimpse of the future of travel. It shows us what autonomous driving will look like in the future. The Gen Travel Concept embodies the visionary design of the future. tomorrow for future mobility. Efficient shaping characterizes a very distinctive design.
“So, in an age of technical perfection and almost limitless possibilities, ‘form follows function’ to ‘form follows freedom’. Cars will not only be better, but also more exciting than ever,” said Klaus Zyciora.
The futuristic exterior of the Gen Travel Concept is divided into two parts, namely the transparent glass cabin blends perfectly into the bottom, housing all the technical features. Waist-high window ledges, maximizing outside views. At the same time, when passengers lie on their backs in the car, they do not experience any outside influences. The Gen Travel Concept wing door facilitates better entry and exit.
For maximum comfort, the Gen Travel Concept features an eABC (electrical Active Body Control) active suspension that calculates vertical and lateral movements such as acceleration, braking or cornering, and optimizes the riding style and trajectory accordingly. Artificial intelligence (AI) and platoons assist in fully autonomous driving, also being used to further increase the range of long-distance travel.
