As more conventional automakers are driven to enter the autonomous market, it takes an unusual concept to stand out.
That’s exactly what Volkswagen has done with Sedric, its self-driving concept that can chauffeur its owner or strangers with the push of a button, Engdaget reports.
Sedric is a futuristic amalgam of an autonomous car, a virtual assistant, and a ride-sharing service. The forward-thinking concept can be electronically hailed with a remote Volkswagen calls the “Button,” the company announced in a press release Monday.
If its owners opt in, the car will be put to use as an autonomous taxi, transporting strangers, when the title-holder doesn’t need their own ride.
It’s “Level 5” autonomous design means there’s never a need for a driver (there’s no steering wheel), so Volkswagen designed the concept to be interactive. “Passengers can talk to Sedric about the destination, how to get there, the driving time, the current traffic situation, perhaps even a short break on the way—users can talk to Sedric like they would with a personal assistant,” the company explained in a press release.
See a demo of Sedric below.
—RealClearLife
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