Vision URBANETIC answers the questions of future urban mobility
- Completely new mobility concept for on-demand, efficient, comfortable and sustainable mobility
- Autonomous driving platform that can be fitted as required with a cargo module for goods transportation or with a people-mover module
- Battery-electric drive for zero local emissions and almost noiseless mobility
- Mobility concepts embedded within an intelligent, self-learning IT infrastructure for the continual analysis of transportation needs
- Supply and demand captured in real-time and vehicle resources used to best effect
- Maximum economy, efficiency and flexibility for cities, mobility providers and users
First off, Mercedes-Benz all Electric Vans presents its Vision URBANETIC. It’s a revolutionary mobility concept that goes way beyond existing ideas on autonomous vehicles. Therefore they say Vision URBANETIC eliminates the separation between people moving and goods transport. Cause it enables on-demand, sustainable and efficient movement of people and goods. In addition it also applies an creative approach to fulfil the needs of cities and businesses from diverse sectors. as well as city dwellers and travelers. Therefore, the concept reduces traffic flow. Thereby relieving inner-city infrastructures and contributes to an improved quality of urban life.
In addition and as part of a holistic system solution, this Vision URBANETIC addresses future urban challenges. As well as offering innovative solutions. The visionary concept on a self-driving. I mean an electrically powered chassis that can be replaced. Cause with different switchable bodies that can accommodate people or goods transport. As a ridesharing vehicle, Vision URBANETIC can accommodate up to twelve passengers, while the cargo module can carry up to ten EPAL pallets. A load space 3.70 m. (12 ft.) long fits into a total vehicle length of 5.14 m. (16.8 ft.). Plus, the concept incorporates an IT infrastructure that analyzes in real-time the supply and demand within a defined area. The result is a self-driving fleet, with routes planned flexibly and efficiently on the basis of current transportation needs. All of this makes Vision URBANETIC a groundbreaking concept for future urban mobility.
Thanks to full networking, evaluating local information – such as concerts and events – and intelligent control, the system not only analyzes current needs, it can also learn from them. It is thus able to expect and react to future needs. This can optimize processes and help shorten waiting and delivery times and avoid traffic jams. For instance, the overall system can use the data captured by the vehicle control center. That which collated and analyzes needs. It’s to find a crowd of people gathering in a certain area. It can send vehicles there to quickly and efficiently satisfy the increased demand. The system can react flexibly and is not based on rigid routes or fixed timetables.
Fully networked and part of a comprehensive ecosystem
Mercedes-Benz Vans is pursuing an ambitious target with its Vision URBANETIC. It envisages transporting more people and goods with fewer vehicles on a almost unchanged roads infrastructure to relieve inner cities and, at the same time, fulfill continually growing mobility requirements and customer desires. This would ultimately help an improved quality of urban life. One with flexible and comfortable movement of people, efficient and sustainable transportation of goods. Especially that much lowers noise and pollutant emissions and greater freedom in city planning.
As a fully networked vehicle, Vision URBANETIC is part of an ecosystem in which commercial and private mobility wishes are transmitting digitally.
Vision URBANETIC collated these needs and fulfils them with a highly flexible fleet, facilitating a much improvement in the use of resources.
Two interchangeable modules for people and goods
To do this level of flexibility, Vision URBANETIC , equipped with different interchangeable bodies depending on purpose of use. As a ride- sharing vehicle with a people-mover body, Vision URBANETIC offers space for up to twelve passengers. The modules are switched either automatically or manually, with the automated process taking just a few minutes. The system is based on an autonomous driving platform onto which the respective bodies fixing. It incorporates all the driving functions, meaning the autonomous chassis can also make its way to its next job place without a body attached. Absolute safety guaranteeing by redundant components for all relevant actions such as steering, braking and acceleration.
The cargo module serves as a classic goods transporter. Thanks to its variable load floor, it can be divided into two levels and transport up to ten EPAL palettes. The load space has a volume of 10 m3 (353 f3). Alternatively, the vehicle can be fitted with fully automated cargo-space systems and used as a mobile package station for last-mile deliveries. Further use cases are also conceivable as the concept can be equipped with a wide array of bodies for other sectors and applications.
Greater freedom for interior design
Thanks to fully automated driverless operation, operating costs fall significantly with Vision URBANETIC. Plus, except for charging times for the battery-electric drive and maintenance periods, each vehicle can be in use around the clock, 365 days a year. It means, such as, profitable operation of local public transport solutions which would not be commercially viable with a driver. Likewise, the concept provides an answer to an ever-increasing demand in areas such as the logistics sector. In other words, a lack of drivers.
The absence of a driver’s cab also frees up space for interior design. Steering wheel, pedals, dashboard and the entire cockpit are things of the past. The space can instead be used for extra passengers or higher goods volume.
On a factory site or roaming freely in the city
Vision URBANETIC’s electric drive delivers zero-local-emissions mobility, thus making it the perfect vehicle for city centers and areas subject to legal access restrictions. The virtually noiseless electric drive also presents new options for late or night-time deliveries and thus offers major commercial potential.
Establish trust through active communication with the outside world
Many people still view autonomous vehicles with the certain degree of skepticism. To address this, Vision URBANETIC adopts a new approach, particularly with its people-mover body. The vehicle uses multiple cameras and sensor systems to see its surroundings in their entirety and communicates actively with them. It uses the large-format display on the front of the vehicle to tell pedestrians crossing the street that it has noticed them.
Another highlight is digital shadowing around the side door. Several hundred light units display the contours of approaching people along the sides, signaling to them that the Vision URBANETIC has noticed them.
Source: Mercedes Benz
