Smart shows off autonomous Vision EQ ForTwo concept

Smart has pulled the covers off its new autonomous Vision EQ ForTwo concept ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

The concept provides a glimpse at what Daimler – Smart’s parent company – might think the future of public transport and urban mobility could look like. It’s fully electric, completely autonomous and connected.

Smart CEO Annette Winkler said: “The Smart Vision EQ ForTwo is our vision of future urban mobility. It is the most radical car-sharing concept car of all: fully autonomous, with maximum communication capabilities, friendly, comprehensively personalisable and, of course, electric.”

Sharing is key with the Vision EQ, with passengers being able to hail the vehicle to their exact location through the use of their mobile phones. There are no traditional controls – the steering wheel and pedals have been done away with.

The car will make suggestions as to who a customer should ride-share with based on other users’ saved profiles and current travel plans. There’s even a 24-inch screen in place of a traditional dashboard that will display passengers’ shared interests.

Electric drive is provided by a 30kWh battery. When the vehicle isn’t in use, it will automatically travel to a charging station to top the battery up. It also has the ability to dock with the power grid, feeding in energy to relieve pressure on the network.

A black panel grille and LED displays replace traditional headlights and tail lamps, and can be used to communicate with other road users.

Gorden Wagener, chief design officer at Daimler AG, said: “A multiplicity of digital surfaces inside and outside allows the next level of communication between human and automobile. The customer is able to personalise the vehicle according to their individual needs.”