Volkswagen’s self-driving pod
Futuristic autonomous Sedric 2+2 is revealed; due by 2025
Futuristic autonomous concept electric four-seater revealed
VOLKSWAGEN pulled the wraps off its hi-tech vision for a fully autonomous, self-driving pod at last week’s Geneva Motor Show. Called the Sedric, the concept hints at the entire VW Group’s autonomous future across its various marques. Bosses call it a “cross-brand ideas platform”, but it’s likely to form a part of VW’S new MOIA mobility brand, established last year.
The name is short for Self-driving Car, and the Sedric features five lidar scanners, seven cameras and a number of additional sensors. All this makes the car a Level 5 autonomous vehicle – meaning it can drive itself completely independently.
It’s operated via a Onebutton key, pressed by the operator to summon the vehicle. Information is fed back about its time of arrival, and once occupants are on board, the Sedric uses advanced voice control to set a destination, plan rest stops, choose a route and other functions.
The Sedric is fully electric and makes use of VW’S MEB electric car platform. The compact battery layout makes room for a 2+2 cabin, while the car’s fully autonomous nature means there are no pedals or a steering wheel.
VW CEO Matthias Müller said: “We are convinced that fully automated vehicles will make life in our cities better, more eco-friendly and, above all, safer.
“Sedric gives the first concrete foretaste of that today. Sedric is a trailblazer and idea platform for autonomous driving. Many elements and functions of this concept car will reappear in vehicles from our brands in the coming years.”
The VW Group is currently spending billions in a bid to have self-driving cars on the market by 2025. The production version of the upcoming I.D. hatchback will be the first to feature autonomous technology.
Volkswagen describes the Sedric as a “father” concept vehicle that will eventually spawn other “child” and “grandchild” vehicles from various different brands within the VW Group.
However, VW says the autonomous cars created across the group will all exhibit their own individual brand character, and won’t be tied down to a central idea of a self-driving ‘VW Group’ car.