Rinspeed Snap Previews a Modular Autonomous Box of the Future

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

Concepts are vehicles that automakers and companies use to showcase what they have in store for the future. Understandably, the vehicles are usually farfetched, over-the-top machines that happen to have four wheels. A good example of a company that pushes the boundaries with its concepts is the Swiss-based firm Rinspeed. 

Rinspeed Always Pushes The Boundaries

If you're unfamiliar with the company, one of its more recent concepts is the Oasis that came out last year. Like its name implies, the Oasis concept was fitted with an interior that was more akin to a living room than an automobile. The concept featured various amenities including a small garden area, a television, a windshield that doubled as an augmented and virtual-reality screen, and two large chairs that swiveled to multiple positions. Oh, the concept was also projected to handle all of the driving, as well. 

While the Oasis concept, and Rinspeed's other insane machines, may seem like futuristic vehicles that will never make it to the real world. The company's features, like the windshield that also happens to be an augmented and virtual-reality screen, will soon make its way into another concept. But this time, it'll come from Intel as it hopes to turn rides in driverless cars more enjoyable. In other words, Rinspeed might be on to something with its concepts. 

Making Attainable Concepts For The Future

Rinspeed's latest concept, though, which is called the Snap, is a little more grownup, leaving us to believe that the Swiss company really believes this is a possibility in the near future. The thing that makes the Snap noteworthy is that it utilizes a chassis, which the company likens to a "skateboard." The chassis houses the hardware and software components, which the company claims will become outdated quickly, and can be separated from the cell or pod. At first glance, that's an ingenious design. 

Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, meaning automakers and companies will have to create a process to update vehicles in the future. Rinspeed's design allows for the chassis of the Snap to be completely removed and recycled after a few years of use. The cell pod, on the other hand, is expected to be much more durable and outlast the chassis. When the chassis is not attached to the actual pod itself, the cell can act as a "variable shopping pod or a spacious camping pod to a cozy cuddling pod and even providing a breathtaking, fully connected user experience for the occupants of the passenger cabin," claims Rinspeed. 

Personalization Is The Future

The inside of the pod is also about personalization. The pod, as Rinspeed claims, has a three-level user authentication system. A token unlocks the pod and customizes the display, which is capable of displaying personal cloud content, but only after passing face recognition. There's also a voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant that memorizes each users' personal preferences and habits. If the pod is going to do any type of health screening, users will have to go through a third level of biometric identification. 

Each passenger, the pod is capable of seating up to four individuals, has three displays at their own disposal, while two large displays provide information on where the pod's going and some kind of entertainment. Snap, as the company claims, communicates with individuals outside of the vehicles through six projectors that provides pedestrians with vital information, including who has the right of way. 

If it wasn't obvious, the Snap is an autonomous vehicle and has a personal assistant that is capable of "running errands, carrying purchases, or handle other tedious tasks." The Snap is expected to make its debut at CES in January. While the machine isn't made for production, it doesn't look like it would be too difficult to put onto public roads. 

via: Rinspeed

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods