Volkswagen revealed Gen.Travel all-electric Innovation Experience vehicle (IEV) that comes with Level 5 autonomous driving technology. It looks like a vehicle from the future. The new model will come under the category where will be a combination of a premium sedan and multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
Volkswagen’s Gen.Travel gives a peep into electric mobility of the upcoming decade. Head of Volkswagen Group Innovation, Nikolai Ardey said, “With its New Auto strategy, Volkswagen defines the mobility for generations to come- sustainable and digital.” He also added that with this new IEV, door-to-door travel will attain a new level.
Gen.Travel will drive autonomously and will turn the driver into a relaxed passenger who will be able to spend time doing other stuff focusing on either work of relaxation or entertainment. Head of Volkswagen Group Design Klaus Zyciora explained that the design of this new electric autonomous vehicle offers a glimpse of what autonomous driving will look like in the future. “The automobile will not only be better but also more exciting than ever before,” added Zyciora. The Gen.Travel comes with a modular interior concept that can be customized for each journey. The vehicle can also be booked as a Mobility-as-a-service offering. Depending on the configuration, the concept electrical vehicle can accommodate four people. Dynamic lighting inside the vehicle creates a pleasant working environment for the passengers and also helps in avoiding motion sickness. One can also change two seats in two beds if traveling overnight.
Autonomous driving
Volkswagen has given the Gen.Travel features such as active suspension eABC(electric Active Body Control) that will calculate vertical and lateral movements such as acceleration, braking, or cornering ahead of time. It will also optimize the driving style and trajectory accordingly. Artificial intelligence (AI) and platooning – fully autonomous driving in convoys- will be used to further increase the range for long-distance journeys.
The upright, glass-heavy cabin should let in a lot of light, and Volkswagen says the bottom of the side windows sits at waist level, giving you a great view of what’s outside. Volkswagen says the Gen Travel is totally electric, but the company hasn’t released any information specific to the powertrain. It is said that Gen Travel is not a production-intent project. This concept merely gives us a vision of what Volkswagen imagines for the future, though the company says “individual features may later be transferred to series vehicles.” If you want to see it for yourself, the Gen Travel will be displayed at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance festival near Paris on Sept. 24.
