What Will Move Us Tomorrow: The Office and Living Room on Wheels

Introduction

Autonomous driving is set to become reality in the near future. While major automakers are putting the finishing touches on this technology, the Swiss idea factory, Rinspeed, puts man at the center of the autonomous car.

At the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, Rinspeed presented the public with the world premiere of the study “XchangE.” The study demonstrates how, just a few years from now, cars will ‘move’ us, in both senses of the word.

Frank M. Rinderknecht describes the status quo like this: “So far hardly anyone has taken this to its logical conclusion from the perspective of the driver. After all, traveling in a driverless car will no longer require me to stare at the road, but will let me spend my time in a more meaningful way.“ Then he poses this key question: How will the interior of a vehicle have to be designed to let the now largely unburdened driver make optimal use of the gain in time?

The Creator “Family”

The Swiss company provides the answer to this question with an all-electric touring sedan by the name of “XchangE.” The vehicle features all-new seats that are reminiscent of the relaxing business-class seats of major airlines. The basic idea behind the seats, which offer a host of adjustment, tilting and swiveling options, comes from Otto Bock Mobility Solutions, which is arguably the most renowned manufacturer of medical prosthetics worldwide. This results in more than twenty possible seating arrangements - a world record. The futuristic TRW steering wheel, with hands-on recognition, drive-mode-manager display in the rim and transparent multifunction keys with ambiance lighting, can simply be “parked” in the middle of the instrument panel together with the innovative lightweight steering column with bionic design from Georg Fischer Automotive. This feat is made possible by the multiredundant “steer-by-wire” technology developed by the Swabian Company, Paravan, which is similar to what can be found on modern jet aircrafts. It is, therefore, no wonder that the smart automotive visionary with a wink negates the famous advertising slogan that has become a popular phrase: “Not even flying is better from now on!”

Passengers will be able to assume virtually any seating or resting position when traveling in a fully autonomous vehicle in the future, which will require a completely new operating and display concept. It is supplied by infotainment specialist Harman. The new concept uses the manufacturer’s all-new next-generation scalable infotainment platform, which is based on HTML5 and provides comprehensive protection against hacker attacks. In the “XchangE,” it offers numerous functions for navigation, entertainment, assistance and services that are displayed on a total of four screens. A 1.2-meter-wide display strip in the steering wheel support provides important information in wide-screen format. A 32-inch 4K monitor in the rear transforms the “XchangE” into a highly comfortable on-demand UHD movie theatre on wheels, which is controlled with simple gestures.

Of course the “XchangE” is also fully networked with the outside world. The in-car consolidation of real-time sensor data that is crucial for “Car2X” communications is handled by the infotainment system, which communicates with the Cloud via an integrated LTE module. Deutsche Telekom and its fast LTE network provide secure data transmission. All incoming vehicle data - from the Harman infotainment system and other vehicle systems - are compiled and analyzed on Deutsche Telekom’s standardized “Business-to-Car” platform. The intelligent links to numerous other online data sources thus create travel-specific Cloud services, such as warning messages or recommendations on route as well as driving profiles, which are available to all road users in real time. The more vehicles and service providers that are networked via the manufacturerindependent “Business-to-Car” platform, the more everyone traveling by car benefits from added safety and convenience.

An intelligent access control system, that uses RFID technology to identify the authorized driver or drivers, switches on the essential functions of the “XchangE.” It comes from the parts portfolio of the forklift manufacturer, Linde Material Handling. As on the company’s forklifts and other material handling equipment, the technical signals from the sensors and vehicle control system are compiled by the “connect:” data-logging unit and transmitted continuously to the Cloud via the T network. The “connect:” unit software makes it possible to analyze all operating data and generate reports for fleet operators, for instance.

The avant-garde interior concept developed by Strähle+Hess ensures a unique feelgood atmosphere. It is made of textiles with blue and gray gradations, which create a maritime flair. These calming colours reinforce a relaxing effect while traveling in the “XchangE.” The focus of the textile development was specifically on the touch and feel of the fabrics, and the raw materials were selected to individually tailor their characteristics to the various comfort zones. Natural resources such as Merino wool and silk were also used, which were processed by Schoeller spinning mill in Bregenz, Austria. As a result, there are intelligent yarns in the intelligent car.

The revolutionary Plexiglas roof from Evonik Industries ensures a striking appearance. It features “Radiant” surface coating and shimmers in all colours of the rainbow. 358 individually controlled LEDs in the “EndLighten” headliner and another 98 in the instrument panel create an individual feel-good atmosphere. This innovative LED technology was supplied by the Swiss Company, Weidmann Plastics Technology. Numerous additional Plexiglas elements in the front and rear fascia, the rocker panels and the rear spoiler, which were all created by refinement specialist Mansory, are also supplied by the Evonik chemicals group. They were processed, hardened and tempered by KRD in Geesthacht before being mounted with adhesives and sealants from Sika. A high-end PTC heater from Stuttgart-based system partner and source of inspiration, Eberspächer, ensures a cozy, warm atmosphere.

Towering above everything in the moveable steering column is arguably the world’s most expensive watch winder. Swiss watchmaker, Carl F. Bucherer, has implanted its Patravi TravelTec wristwatch in a transparent globe. When the car is stationary, the globe spins, driven by an electric motor, and in the process winds the mechanical watch movement! It is crazy and playful, but somehow also ingenious and wickedly expensive.

The “XchangE” - as a Tesla evolution - is sitting on 20-inch Borbet alloy wheels of the highest-quality with glistening “Reflectic” finish; it is a true eye-catcher. However, the Swiss Company, Regus Management and Research, focuses on the more “inner values” of the “XchangE” as an office on wheels. The specialist in office rentals maintains 1,800 locations in more than 100 countries and develops new business opportunities. The company definitely sees potential for using the “XchangE” as a mobile office and traveling conference center. It draws this conclusion from a study by the Düsseldorf-based consulting agency, A.T. Kearney Consultants, which examined the changes to digital society that will be affected by autonomous driving in the future.

You can read, listen to music, surf the web, play games and watch movies with brilliant picture and sound quality, or you can hold a four-party meeting at 120 km/h and work on your files while brewing a fresh cup of Italian Amici espresso. The creators of the “XchangE” are certain that autonomous driving will actually make individual travel even more attractive compared to traveling by train, plane or long-distance coach. As Rinderknecht puts it: “I am given free time that I can use for myself any way I please, while the sensor systems and connectivity chauffeur me safely and reliably to my destination.”

The Challenges

Building an almost fully functional concept car in less than seven months takes a lot of effort, pain and vision from all the people involved. Furthermore, as always in life, financial aspects of the budget cannot be ignored, despite the fact that more and more ideas keep popping up and everyone would like to see them come to life and be integrated.

The experience and know-how of more than three decades in the automotive industry certainly helps move the project forward. Yet, the human factor with all its facets cannot be ignored.

The Constraints

In the early stages, it was determined that the actual autonomous driving abilities would not be integrated into the “XchangE” as the development of such as system is rather the task of an OEM or a Tier 1 supplier and not that of a creative concept car builder.

Also, to speed up the actual building process, it was decided early on that a production platform would be used. Since the Tesla Model S is the only electric car on the market with a flat floor, it `was given preference over the other competitors in order to enable the seats to turn. A center tunnel would have been the enemy of such an engineering vision.

The Benefits

All partners involved take a great and lasting benefit not only in world-wide communications, but in stretching the limits, touching new grounds and emotionally charging their activities as a leader of the industry.

The Results

Last but not least, more than 1.6 billion contacts have been established. Google stated that more than 11 million different pages illustrate the exciting project – a great and impressive number for such a “small” project, which proves that the story matched the spirit and dreams of our time.