Renault prepares a new autonomous vehicle prototype
The next Renault Next Two prototype is the perfect car for those clients who wish to not only not use fossil fuels but who also don’t want to expend any of their energy while driving it.
This new Zoe EV-based hatchback test vehicle is said to be Renault’s vision of the autonomous electric vehicle for the year 2020.
The test vehicle features a stunning array of features in order to make it function without the need for human input. It has radar, ultrasonic sensors both in the front and the rear, a front-mounted camera for autonomous driving, another camera for navigation and aumented reality as well as a rear camera. All of these cameras are linked to a control unit hidden under the boot of the car which is then connected to the steering, accelerator and brakes.
But the cameras don’t end there, the vehicle features a driver-facing camera meant for ‘video conferences’ as well as a massaging seat and a large central screen that can project video chat images while also displaying an augmented reality image from the vehicle computer.
According to the carmaker, the vehicle will allow the driver or passengers to connect to the web to work while they’re on the road. Renault has also confirmed that this autonomous vehicle program is part of a shared initiative with their partner brand Nissan as well as other tech and egineering partners.
Carlos Ghosn – Renault CEO – said that this Next Two prototype is designed to merge the realms of delegated driving and connectvity while at the same time enhancing safety and freeing up time for drivers.
According to the French carmaker, congestion causes city motorists to waste anywhere btween sixty and eighty hours of their time each year, both in Europe and the US. This also translates into a waste of more than sixteen billion litres of fuel as a result of traffic congestion.
