Unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2018, ID Vizzion presents some of Volkswagen’s ideas for the future of motoring. The premium-class electric concept car features Level 5 automation, which VW believes could be possible by 2025.
The car would fuse data from a mix of laser, ultrasonic, radar and camera sensors to detect its environment. It would also obtain traffic data from the cloud, make use of swarm intelligence via V2X, and integrate high-resolution digital maps for navigation. The incorporation of AI means that the car would be able to continually refine its algorithms for recognizing and interpreting patterns.
Volkswagen ID VIZZION
The ability to learn would also enable the car’s virtual assistant to respond to occupants’ tastes, adjusting aspects of the interior – such as music, lighting and climate settings – accordingly. These could also be adjusted in line with health data.
Passengers can interact with the car via augmented reality, using Microsoft’s HoloLens. This projects a virtual interface into real space, operated through gesture control. The car also responds to voice commands and there are two rotary/push button controls on the center console, intended for various functions, including stopping the car.
Volkswagen ID VIZZION interior
As a Level 5 car, there is no need for a driver’s seat, steering wheel, dash panel or foot pedals. The ‘lounge’ can be adjusted to various travel modes, and also benefits from active noise cancellation. Occupants are identified and granted access through a biometric facial scan or detection of their electronic device, where the doors open electrically to 90° in opposite directions, and there are no B pillars, enabling easy access to the lounge-like interior.
The HD Matrix headlights, which feature 8,000 light pixels, adapt to the driving situation. They could also be used to project images in front of the car, for example a pedestrian crossing. The rear window is also an OLED display, providing a sort of third brake light: the harder the braking, the larger the brake light displayed.
