Rinspeed unveils autonomous ‘Budii' SUV concept

Swiss concept house Rinspeed will unveil this autonomous electric car at the Geneva show in March.

The ‘Budii’, which is based on the BMW i3, has been fitted with a new steer-by-wire system and a steering wheel that can be folded away when it is not in use. The wheel can also switch sides to provide both left- and right-hand drive.

Rinspeed has worked with a number of suppliers who supplied the technology in the Budii concept. Infotainment specialist Harman Kardon has designed a system that "independently identifies the habits and preferences of the driver and reduces the necessary operating steps [to drive the car] to a minimum".

The car also rides on a new air suspension system that has a ride height adjustment range of 100mm.

Also incorporated is a ‘telescoping laser scanner’, which rises up from the Budii’s roof and works in combination with a 3D camera to scan the terrain ahead of the vehicle, allowing the car to automatically adjust the ride height and suspension accordingly.

The i3’s clamshell door arrangement has been modified with an electric opening and closing system, while the newly styled exterior panels incorporate the brake lights, tail-lights and indicators. 

A new electric heating system is said to be "95 percent efficient" and can pre-warm the battery pack. It is controlled by a smartphone or smartwatch.