Audi is attending the Auto Shanghai 2019 to showcase the new AI: ME. Audi’s new AI: ME, which they recently announced, will have Level 4 autonomy. What it means is that it will be efficiently equipped to handle hands-off driving in designated parts of cities. There is also a steering wheel and pedals for other parts of the city. From the looks of it, the AI:ME is unlike the 2017 AIcon concept which featured Level 5 autonomy.
The new AI:ME is designed to be driven in and around the urban areas. It’s rear-wheel drive, all-electric with a 65kWh battery and has 168bhp at its disposal. However, this is all secondary to what Audi has to offer in terms of its interior ambiance which according to Audi is what matters when it comes to an AI car.
The interior of the car is bigger than an A3, and it has magnetic cup holders and plate holders. It also comes with a footrest under the dash, which the driver can actually afford to stretch out inside the car. In-built car entertainment is also there, and one of the major features would be the noise canceling tech through the speakers. Sleeping inside the car without any disturbance would not be a problem now.
Users can also transplant the car into an interactive fantasy landscape for their own entertainment. The LED lights stretched over the wheel arches will help to warn pedestrians about the car’s arrival at that spot. The car itself can also project images onto the road or surrounding walls for different purposes. The smart-car would travel at speeds between 12 and 43 mph over short distances.
Users will be able to set their destination before, set up the lighting and entertainment demands before the car pulls up for them to get on it. Once the car has arrived at the destination, it will go back to the depot on its own. Describing the new Audi AI:ME in such terms makes it sound a lot like Uber. However, Audi has not released any statement regarding its launch. SO it might be a while before this smart-car actually comes to the market.
