Audis billing its latest concept car, the Audi AI:ME, as an empathetic mobility partner, which is some superb marketing speak for some of the loonier included features of which there are plenty. But among them there are some solid ones wed like to see trickle down to production vehicles, like a mixed-reality head-up display that shows drivers precisely where to turn, not just that a turns coming up.
The AI:ME (pronounced Amy) is empathetic enough to know people might actually still want to drive it, so pedals and a steering wheel are present and accounted for, despite its self-driving capabilities.
But, if that seems like a chore, drivers can don the included VR headset for virtual entertainment that responds to the cars movements. Or they can use the eye-tracking-based hands-free interface to order their favorite dish with delivery timed so it arrives at their destination when they do. Yeah, like we said, its a little silly. But thats precisely what concept cars are all about.
A mood ring you can drive
Audi says its admittedly cute, optionally-autonomous hatch will use machine learning and sensors (look, we do love a good sensor) to learn drivers' preferences and adjust everything from seat position and temperature to fragrancing of the interior to match.
Another fanciful project from Audi called Human-Centric Lighting proposes bathing the driver in blue, cool white light to wake them up if the vehicle detects theyre getting a little snoozy. Frankly, that sounds dreadful. Wed definitely prefer the car take over driving duties and let us have a recuperative nap, or find us the nearest coffeeshop and route us to it.
But were willing to endure a little silliness in exchange for being spared the drudgery of stop-start traffic. Plus, who doesnt like take-out?
