The Mercedes AVTR is electric, self driving, connected, zero waste and bionic. It has been developed hand in hand with Avatar Films and embodies the new Daimler-Benz concept of sustainable luxury.
It has flaps instead of doors, the car batteries are compostable and features ratan fiber instead of leather for the incar seats.
Further more, the vehicle is conceived as as a living creature: The 33 “bionic flaps” on the back of the vehicle are reminiscent of scales of reptiles. They can communicate with the driver and through the driver with their outside world by means of naturally flowing movements in subtle gestures. Due to the possibility to drive the front and rear axles in the same or opposite direction, the VISION AVTR can move sideways by approximately 30 degrees, in contrast to conventional vehicles. The so-called “crab movement” gives the concept vehicle an animal-like appearance also for its motions.
The VISION AVTR (Advanced Vehicle Transformation) is a concept vehicle, which connects humans, machine and nature in an unprecedented way.
The name of the groundbreaking concept car stands not only for the close collaboration in developing the showcar together with the Avatar team but also for ADVANCED VEHICLE TRANSFORMATION. This concept vehicle embodies the vision of Mercedes-Benz designers, engineers and trend researchers for mobility in the distant future.
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, unveiled the visionary concept vehicle in his keynote speech to around 2,000 peopled at the Park Theater of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) together with the Academy Award winning director and creator of Avatar, James Cameron, as the Vision AVTR is the result of an unprecedented global partnership between Mercedes-Benz and the Avatar films.
Why is the AVTR a grounbreaking concept car for the future?
First, the flap doored Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR features an organic battery technology made from recyclable materials: The VISION AVTR concept vehicle uses a revolutionary battery technology developed with graphene-based organic cell chemistry that is completely free of rare earths and metals. The materials of the battery are compostable and therefore completely recyclable. In this way, electromobility becomes independent of fossil resources. In doing so, Mercedes-Benz underlines the high relevance of a future “circular economy” in the raw materials sector.
Second, it is a “zero impact car”: With the VISION AVTR, Mercedes-Benz takes a look at the mobility of the distant future, combining sustainability with digitalization as well as people and machines with the environment. The concept vehicle describes a desirable future of mobility in which man, nature and technology are no longer contradictions, but are in harmony with each other. The VISION AVTR impressively shows the vision of a “zero impact car”.
Third the concept car fussions interior and exterior: The holistic concept of the VISION AVTR combines the design disciplines interior, exterior and UX on an unprecedented scale. A design language inspired by nature characterizes the appearance of the concept vehicle. This is illustrated by the stretched, sporty “one-bow” design, which merges with spherically pronounced wheelhouses. 33 multi-directionally movable flaps – the “bionic flaps” – on the back of the vehicle enable a completely new interaction of the VISION AVTR with its surroundings.
Fourth, the car includes a new UX concept: Digital neurons, which flow from the interior of the concept vehicle when connected to the vehicle, enable a novel communication with the environment. The interior of the VISION AVTR becomes an immersive experience space and conveys a completely new user experience. A menu selection projected onto the palm of the hand allows the passenger to intuitively choose between different functionalities. For example, the driver can choose the option to explore the fictional film world Pandora from AVATAR from different perspectives.
Fifth, and not less important, the Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR features a novel control and biometric connection: Another highlight of the VISION AVTR is its control unit. The multifunctional control element in the centre console allows the driver to intuitively control the vehicle by simply placing his hand – as long as he does not want to travel autonomously. The new drive, in combination with the axis arrangement, not only allows movement forwards and backwards, but also diagonally. In contrast to conventional vehicles, the VISION AVTR can move sideways by about 30 degrees. The so-called “crab movement” also gives the concept vehicle a reptile-like appearance and a high agility in its movement.
Sixth, the Vison AVTR provides as well an immersive experience space: By simply lifting the hand, a menu selection is projected onto the palm of the hand, through which the passenger can intuitively choose between different functionalities. For example, real-time 3D graphics can be used to explore the fictional world of Pandora from different perspectives. The curved display module creates the visual connection between passengers and the outside world.
Fully environment-friendly thanks to organic battery tech and vegan DINAMICA fiber
For the first time, the VISION AVTR concept vehicle is using a revolutionary battery technology featuring graphene-based organic cell chemistry that is completely clean of rare earths and metals. The materials of the battery are compostable and therefore completely recyclable. In this way, electric mobility becomes independent of fossil resources. As a result, Mercedes-Benz underlines the high relevance of a future circular economy in the raw materials sector.
The seats of the VISION AVTR are refined by vegan DINAMICA®leather. DINAMICA® is the first and only microfiber that guarantees environmental sustainability throughout the entire production cycle. The floor is decorated with an innovative wood called Karuun®. The raw material for Karuun (Rattan) grows very fast as a natural raw material and is harvested by hand in Indonesia. The material gives the interior warmth and radiates naturalness.
Framed into Dainler-Benz’s sustainable luxury aim
Ola Källenius (Chairman of the Board of Management Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG) drawed a 100% sustainable future for the lucury car manufacturer: “…the philosophy of reduce, reuse and recycle will lead us to our ultimate goal: the zero-impact car – a car that uses technology to provide maximum fascination for people but has zero negative impact on the planet. This may be in the distant future. But it’s our goal nonetheless. Pursuing this mission we have teamed up with like-minded innovators who share our vision of putting tech and nature in balance.
“They have created one of the most fascinating and successful Hollywood movies of all time. It is my great pleasure to announce the global partnership between Mercedes-Benz and the AVATAR films. I would like to present the first result of this partnership: the Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR – which translates to “Advanced Vehicle Transformation”.
“A visionary car that points far into the future. And a show car that is truly inspired by the fascinating world of AVATAR. The result highlights completely new ways of intuitively connecting humans and machines – without wooden sticks, plastic knobs or a steering wheel. The VISION AVTR also showcases new ways of moving people through the environment – sideways, like a crab, for instance. It takes sustainability to new levels through a fully recyclable battery, which is based on an organic cell chemistry and doesn’t need materials like nickel or cobalt.
“This means in the future, the battery could be compostable. And it offers incredibly fast charging, too. Of course, this show car also uses many recycled and sustainable materials inside the cabin, like vegan DINAMICA leather or Karuun woods made of fast-growing rattan. It also provides spectacular insights into nature and nearby wildlife, while blurring boundaries between the interior and the outside world. In fact, it is less of a machine – and more of a living creature in its own right.
“The VISION AVTR is a show car and show cars are here to spark our imagination of what’s possible, just like good science fiction movies do. Imagine a car that delivers a completely new experience which combines an inside-out design philosophy – with an outside-in approach to connecting passengers and environment. This car showcases new ideas of communicating – for instance by using its bionic flaps.
“We believe aiming high and thinking ahead is incredibly important. We believe that inspiration and fascination are the most powerful drivers for change and progress. Our way is Sustainable Modern Luxury. Our tools are technology and innovation. The transformation of the automotive industry, the industry at large, and society as a whole – is something we look forward to. We’re quintessential tech optimists. The “Vision Advanced Vehicle Transformation” is a symbol of that. And a reminder that the best is yet to come.”
“Mercedes-Benz has always been a technology and a luxury brand. And it is time to bring luxury and sustainability even closer together. Because for us, the two are no contradiction,” he added.
Jon Landau, Academy Award winning Producer of the AVATAR films, said on the VISION AVTR during his creative exchange on stage:“Not only is it beautifully designed but it will create a closer connection with the driver and the environment around them. One that hopefully results in a better understanding of our responsibility to the world in which we live.”
Image over the headline.- Mercedes-Benz VISON AVTR car concept unveiled at CES 2020. © Mercedes-Benz AG.
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