The Volkswagen Group is to begin the next testing phase of its self-driving research vehicle Gen.Urban, in Wolfsburg, Germany. After intensive trials, the Gen.Urban can now drive autonomously in real urban traffic. The research projects aims to explore how passengers experience riding in a self-driving vehicle without a traditional steering wheel or pedals – and what requirements this creates for future vehicle concepts.
An interdisciplinary team from Volkswagen Group Innovation, including designers, human factors specialists, software engineers and materials experts, is gathering comprehensive data on user behavior and interaction with the Gen.Urban. These findings will contribute to the development of future interior and user experience (UX) concepts across the Group’s brands.
Key questions driving the research include: How do people spend their time in a self-driving vehicle? Which digital features best support work, entertainment or relaxation? How should interaction between the vehicle and passengers be designed, particularly for older people or children? Simply put: Do people feel comfortable?
Gen.Urban delivers a personalized driving experience even before the journey begins
Even before departure, passengers can customize their preferences – via an app or directly in the vehicle – from cabin temperature to ambient lighting. Upon entering, the Gen.Urban greets the passenger and the seat automatically adjusts to the desired position. The vehicle’s digital interior can also be tailored to individual preferences using artificial intelligence. The wide front display with its information, light and sound is then adapted to an individual theme.
Gen.Urban is designed without a traditional steering wheel or pedals. The test participant sits in the driver’s seat, while a trained safety driver monitors the vehicle from the passenger seat. If necessary, the safety driver can intervene at any time using a specially developed control panel with a joystick.
The current test phase initially involves Volkswagen Group employees. The test phase is expected to run for a period of several weeks.
“The technology for autonomous driving is making rapid progress,” explained Dr Nikolai Ardey, head of Volkswagen Group Innovation. “With our Gen.Urban research vehicle, we want to understand exactly how passengers experience autonomous driving. Because: the key to a positive customer experience is to build trust – through meaningful interaction, a relaxed atmosphere and intelligent assistance systems that respond precisely to the needs of passengers. Ultimately, technology should fit people, not the other way around. We will benefit from these insights across the entire group in the long term.”
Test route in Wolfsburg city area with typical traffic scenarios
The starting point of the test route is the visitor parking lot at the HQ building. From there, the nearly 10km loop runs through Wolfsburg’s city area, passing the Sandkamp factory gate, Saar and Lessing streets, Brandenburger Platz, Breslauer Street, Grauhorststraße, and finally returning via Heinrich-Nordhoff-Street. Traffic light intersections, traffic circles, current construction sites, residential areas, industrial sections and possibly congested traffic: the route is chosen to correspond to typical challenges of urban traffic. Each test drive lasts approximately 20 minutes.