Renault Unveils SYMBIOZ Demo Car — Rolling Prototype Of “Electric, Autonomous, & Connected” Concept
Renault is now showcasing a completely functional demo-car version of its previously revealed SYMBIOZ concept car — which is an “autonomous, electric, and connected” car for the future — according to a new press release.
The new rolling prototype is now being used by Renault to give real-world demonstrations to journalists — and represents the first “rolling prototype built to be autonomous from the ground up,” company reps say.
As you may recall, Renault first unveiled the SYMBIOZ concept vehicle at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September 2017, but that unveiling was just of a non-functional show prototype. The company apparently received a positive enough reception there that the deduction was made to demonstrate a rolling prototype publicly.
The press release on the matter provides more: “The SYMBIOZ demo car road tests provide Renault with the opportunity to demonstrate in real-life conditions a car that is autonomous, electric, and connected. The result is a whole new life-on-board experience and as much pleasure while driving as with hands off the steering wheel. In SYMBIOZ, the driver can automate driving and use travel time for other activities. We believe car travel will become a multi-sensory, personalized experience, with a cabin reconfigured differently for each driving mode. The car becomes part of the personal ecosystem for both driver and passenger.”
The Executive Vice President of Product Engineering at Groupe Renault, Gaspar Gascon Abellan, commented on the new demo car: “You cannot re-imagine the future of mobility until you’ve been in the SYMBIOZ demo car. Our engineering and design teams have pushed into the next decade with an autonomous car that lets you experience a new kind of mobility. Electric and connected, this working concept car is designed from the outset to challenge old paradigms about getting from place to place. We’re excited to show the world our vision — and to let them sample the future of Renault.”
While I’m fairly skeptical that Renault will actually release a production car that is similar to the SYMBIOZ demo car, you have to admit that the thing stands out. What I’d be more interested in seeing, though, is longer range versions of popular offerings such as the Zoe or the Kangoo ZE (which will no doubt be arriving in the next few years or so).
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