Achieving mobility with Audi AI:ME

Audi has introduced a new electric vehicle mobility concept for megacities of the future.

The Audi AI:ME offers compact dimensions, a spacious interior, and the ability to drive at level 4 autonomy.

At 4.3-metres long and 1.9-metres wide, the futuristic vehicle has a large amount of interior space and comfort for up to four people, who are able to watch movies and use the internet with a virtual reality system.

The AI – which includes the Audi AIcon, both at Auto Shanghai 2019 – changes how vehicles are used, essentially becoming a “third living space” alongside homes and workplaces. A fourth Audi AI vision will be revealed at the International Motor Show in September.

The Audi AI:ME, which has the drive unit on the rear axle mobilising 125kW, uses low energy even in city traffic with brake energy recuperation and relatively low weight contributing.

The vehicle, communication and interaction systems are operated by eye tracking, voice input, and touch-sensitive fields in the door rail.

Lighting is activated only when approached. A multifunctional, three-dimensional OLED monitor runs below and along the entire length of the windshield, used primarily with eye-tracking control.

The high-quality audio system is coupled with noise compensation that can suppress outside noise by means of active noise control, allowing occupants to have silence or listen to music.

Surfaces and structures familiar from the home environment are used.

Electro-chromatic control can insulate the entry of light and heat if necessary.

LED elements feature in an unusually high position above the wheel wells, where they are visible from all angles, an additional safety feature for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Audi AI:ME can interpret signals from other vehicles and use its own lighting technology to amplify them. For example, a vehicle driving in front indicates danger with faint hazard warning flashers which the AI:ME can detect and amplify with projections and body LED units so that it is clearly visible to all road users.

The AI:ME will drive between 20km/h to 70km/h and will often remain mobile for hours without charging. Audi says long ranges in terms of kilometres are less relevant than the ability to make good use of the operating time, with a 65kWh battery unit enough for meeting these requirements.

At Shanghai Auto 2019, such electric cars are the talk of the show, with some of China’s high-profile automakers announcing all-electrics – including Geely, which owns Volvo, and EV start-ups Nio and XPeng.

Toyota revealed its first electric SUV at the show and will begin selling the C-HR EV in 2020. Nissan debuted a new model of the Sylphy EV compact sedan.