Rinspeed Mobility Pod System Includes Total and Versatile Use – No Waste or Obsolescence

By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
The Auto Channel

The Hague, October 24,2017. The Swiss think tank Rinspeed reveals a concept for a smart and clean mobility system with a clever chassis body construction.

In the past four years, the automotive industry has increasingly used the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to present new technologies. During the last version (2017), almost every German, Japanese, American and South Korean car manufacturer was present.

At the upcoming CES, which will be held in January 2018, we will also see a special Rinspeed "constructor" for the first time.

With the Snap concept vehicle, Rinspeed will show a comprehensive approach to self-propelled electric cars full of IT components which,  for the first time, will also be useful when they are not moving.

 The Swiss have developed chassis and body structures that are fit separate for use. As a result, unused 'rolling stock' is from the past.

Mobility visionary  Frank M. Rinderknecht simply relegates all components susceptible to wear and tear, as well as all technologies relevant to data processing into the so-called "skateboard", the "intelligent" and fully automated chassis of the electric vehicle. The body structures, the so-called 'pods' consist of durable modules. They are virtually free of mechanical wear and contain only long lasting  IT components that are not quickly outdated.

On top, it's all about specific use - from a versatile 'pod' for deliveries to an impressive, fully-connected experience for passengers in a passenger pod.

Thus, the smart Swiss solve a problem that many of us know from navigation system in our own vehicle: it does not recognize the road, as the software and card data are outdated. What can be just annoying could soon become a issue in autonomous cars.. Because after a few years, most of the conventional IT components can not be upgraded, as fast software development will simply render the hardware obsolete. The rest of the vehicle remains usable for the entire life span of a car – i.e. 18 years or more.

The ingenious idea is that while classic automakers consider the moment of assembly and chassis ("marriage") to be the highlight of each factory tour, the skateboards and pods of the Snap are only temporary companions, which can be together day and night.  

Versatile pods - such as for passenger transport, package delivery, or a family weekends,  can be used whatever chassis  available. The pods can also be used as stationary - for example, as a temporary office in the heart of the city.

And the skateboards? After a number of years of intensive use, they can be fully recycled because they have reached the end of their life span. As a result, a costly and complicated hardware upgrade can be avoided.

There are some major partners and suppliers that joined Rinspeed for the  Snap Concept, such as Dekra, Ernst and Young, Harman, NXP Semiconductors and ZF.

Exciting new things are happening and I will have them all here for you.