Audi Aicon concept has no steering wheel or pedals

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At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, one of the main subjects for Audi to talk about is the AI technology. While the new A8 with its Audi AI traffic jam pilot takes the centre stage, Audi wants you to know that the company is also working on highly autonomous level 4 and fully autonomous level 5 cars.

Its the latter we’re seeing here. The Aicon concept takes the design cues from the e-tron Sportback we saw in April this year. The vehicle measures an impressive 5,444 mm in length, 2,100 mm in width and 1,506 mm in height. With a wheelbase of 3,470 mm, which is 240 mm longer than the new A8, expect some really generous space to stretch your legs.

The exterior of the vehicle is full of LED lighting tech. In fact, the conventional headlights are absent from both the front and rear of this car. Instead there are fully digital display surfaces comprising hundreds of triangular pixel segments. They are three-dimensional recreations of the Audi AI symbol. There are more than 600 3D pixels which create animations and information visualizations, similar to what we’ve seen in the e-tron Sportback.

Aicon’s laser and radar sensor system also “sees” enough even in the dark, can reliably find the way and detects possible obstacles in good time, says Audi. The passengers can use the services provided by myAudi or even close their eyes for a while. When passengers exit the Aicon in the dark, a “light companion” is activated: A mini-drone with a flashlight illuminates the user’s walking path.

Interiors
Getting in and out of the Aicon is rather easy, thanks to its suicide doors and lack of a B-pillar. The Aicon is a 2+2-seater. An upholstered, two-seat bench is integrated into the rear panel.

Passengers can slide them up to 500 mm (19.7 in) back and forth between the forward and rear positions. The seats don’t slide on rails, but rather on a platform covered in carpet that can be moved longitudinally, and on which the passengers’ feet also rest. The platform height is variable, so that it can also be used as an ottoman for your legs. The pitch of the seat cushions and backrests can be adjusted for a comfortable working or resting position.

The individual seats can also be swiveled by up to 15 degrees. Turning the seats outward makes it even easier for the passengers to get in. Turning them inward makes it easier for the passengers to talk and interact. If the passengers turn around, the head restraints fold back like a collar and become an arm rest.

As you would expect, there is a good amount of gadgets and tech on the inside. PIA, the empathetic electronic vehicle assistant, recognizes the passenger by his phone and activates all of his personal settings. There are custom settings for the air conditioning and seating position, interior light color and the layout of the infotainment system. The navigation system awaits entry of a destination, and all accessible channels of communication are ready for use.

The position of the control interfaces on the door rails are variable, depending on the position of the seats for a perfect ergonomics.

Multiple input modes are available for engaging with the car. Besides the haptic-manual layer, there are also voice control and eye tracking, in which sensors in the front end of the interior track where the passenger is looking. The glass roof panels can block out the sunlight, if desired.

Powertrain
The Aicon is powered by four electric motors producing a total of 260 kW (738 hp) and 550 Nm. Each drives one wheel, enabling electronically controlled, variable quattro all-wheel drive. Claimed range is between 700 and 800 kilometers (435.0 – 497.1 mi) on a single charge. Thanks to a high-voltage system with 800 volts, the Aicon’s battery can be charged to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes. The car is also equipped with inductive wireless charging. In an AI Zone, it can pull up to a charging station on its own and charge its battery without any human assistance.

The vehicle gets fully active suspension system, which also optimizes the qualities of the adaptive air suspension. The Aicon literally glides over even large potholes, says Audi. The essential brake energy recuperation is present too.