Another Geneva Motor Show, and another crazy Swiss concept by Rinspeed. This year’s offering is called the Rinspeed Budii and it is a little autonomous electric car designed as a means for “automated private transport”.
Rinspeed Budii is based upon the chassis and running gear of the BMW i3, but it features some clever new features that you would expect from Rinspeed, who call themselves an “idea factory”. The car has a steer-by-wire system with a steering column that fold away in a corner of the cabin when you don’t need it, and unfolds when you fancy taking over the control. The 7-axis robotic unit can also serve as a table or attentive personal valet.
Another highlight of Rinspeed Budii is its high-definition Harman infotainment system which can interact with the owner of the car and even learn their habits. The system also includes radar and ‘Vehicle-to-X’ solutions as well as automatic payment for parking via NFC, cell phone charging by means of wireless power charging, clever access solutions, and a keyless entry remote for unlocking, starting and customizing the vehicle.
Rinspeed is one of the most visionary car firms in the world. They do things their own way without any regard for the market, economy and all that nonsense. We often wonder how can this company survive because all they do is make concepts that nobody can produce, or want to produce. How do they make money?