The Volkswagen Group will present an innovative design study on September 24, named Gen.Travel, which aims to redefine the future of long-distance transportation.
TRAVEL is a prototype car that is purely electric and has L5 level of self-driving. The vehicle has a modular interior design and is officially said to be a future alternative to short-haul flights. As a research vehicle, Gen.Travel is designed to test how users react to the concept and new features. Depending on the results of the study, individual features may later be added to the production model.
According to officials, the Gen. Travel is a new vehicle category between sedan and MPV, with self-driving capabilities that turn the driver into a relaxed passenger with time to do other things. Gen. Travel has a unique, modular interior concept that can be customized for each trip and booked as a mobility-as-a-service offering. Depending on the configuration, the concept can transport up to four people. For business travel, the “Meeting Setup” has four comfortable seats and a large table in the middle of the interior, providing a relaxed environment. Dynamic lighting creates a pleasant working environment and avoids the risk of motion sickness. A configuration in the “overnight setup” allows converting two seats into two beds that can be folded to full flat.
The new restraint system ensures passenger safety, even when lying down. The Gen.Travel lighting system affects melatonin production, helping passengers fall asleep and wake up naturally. For family travel, Gen.Travel with front seats can offer an augmented reality (AR) entertainment system. All HMI (Human Machine Interface) elements are produced using sustainable materials, combined with recycled or natural materials.
The futuristic look of Gen.Travel is divided into two parts, with a transparent glass cockpit perfectly integrated into the lower part and very low windows in order to maximize the view from the outside. At the same time, when passengers lie flat inside the car, they are not exposed to any external influences. gull-wing doors of Gen.Travel facilitate better entry and exit.
For maximum comfort, Gen.Travel’s active suspension eABC (electric active body control) calculates vertical and lateral movements, such as acceleration, braking or cornering, in advance and optimizes driving style and trajectory accordingly.
