The Quarter Car is a fully autonomous vehicle that features seats in individual compartments, like business class suites on a plane. Sam Ballard reports
A new concept vehicle that allows passengers to ride together or in separate, business class-style compartments has been envisioned by Seymourpowell, a London-based industrial design and innovation company.
The Quarter Car, a fully autonomous vehicle, is powered by electric batteries and is designed to operate between “urban and suburban environments”. It would be particularly for “last-mile” journeys from the airport to a hotel, for example, and would be a more sustainable option to conventional taxis that can seat multiple passengers but are often only occupied by one.
Seymourpowell’s concept is built around increasing the internal volume of the vehicle rather than making it more aerodynamic – making the Quarter Car look more like a bus than a car, although it’s still only roughly the length of a Toyota Prius.
With people far more “germaphobic” as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, the idea of isolated compartments in a shared vehicle will certainly appeal.
“Whether it’s basic A to B ride-hailing transportation; a service which airlines employ as a business class benefit for pick up and drop offs; or even a commercial vehicle utilised by hoteliers to expand its concierge service through bespoke city tours and providing on-the-go, co-working spaces for the modern day flexible worker.”
“We believe that if we are going to flood city’s with new mobility solutions, in various ways each vehicle should do a little good for every mile travelled, collectively contributing to better living standards for all.”
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