Rinspeed Presents Innovative Dock+Go Mobility System at Geneva [w/ video]
Source:
Rinspeed | Published:
Mon Feb 20, 2012
With the Dock+Go concept, Swiss automotive think tank Rinspeed points out
that usually all of us automatically do the right thing when we move around: we
lug around as little ballast and unnecessary items as possible. And it is
precisely this from an economic and ecological standpoint sensible behavior that
Rinspeed echoes with their new concept car "Dock+Go" on two and sometimes three
axles.
It is specifically this third on-demand axle that is the crucial point of the
innovative modular mobility system that the Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht has
devised. "Dock+Go" was built - in the traditional sense - by Peter Kagi and his
company 4erC. The concept draws its irresistible charm from easy-to-dock
single-axle "backpacks on wheels." These so-called "packs" carry out their
assigned tasks depending on current need. But the best thing is: they cleverly
solve the much-debated operating range problem that electric vehicles suffer
from. Neither unnecessary space nor superfluous weight is being transported.
This truly creates "mobility a la carte."
Any electrified city speedster could serve as the basis for "Dock+Go." For
demonstration purposes Rinderknecht selected a two-seat smart car as the basis.
Different "packs" can turn the electric flea into the dream car of every pizza
delivery driver - complete with a built-in isothermal box. Or they allow winter
sports enthusiasts to comfortably stow their gear. In Geneva Rinspeed will
furthermore show off a rolling "sound pack" which multimedia and infotainment
specialist Harman has filled with the latest high-end sound solutions in order
to guarantee a first class acoustical experience.
Yes, this car truly always saves the best for last: and in this case it is a
generous helping of operating range if the 60 miles (100 kilometers) that are
usually on tap in electric vehicles simply are not enough. An "energy pack,"
fitted with a range extender or additional batteries, powered by a fuel cell or
equipped with a combustion engine, provides the crucial extra kilometers to
reach more distant destinations. The simple and equally clever trick of the
latter is: the docked third axle drives the rotating second axle and in doing so
also recharges the on-board batteries of the city speedster. The world's first
Variohybrid - as Frank M. Rinderknecht calls his range donor - is born. And to
top it all off: when the pack with auxiliary batteries is docked and the vehicle
is not in use, the pack will even provide electricity to the owner's private
residence or serve as a buffer for the public energy grid, in effect turning it
into a "smart grid."
Rinspeed's automotive visions live not only on the quality of the ideas behind
it, but also and in particular on their sharp implementation. That's because one
key element of Frank M. Rinderknecht's credo is that a car must provoke emotions
and visions, especially if it is to serve as a vehicle for communicating new
technologies and innovative materials. And there is a lot to see on the "Dock+Go"
in that respect, contributed by large corporations and small but brilliant
specialists alike in order to effectively showcase "Dock+Go," which is currently
going through the Swiss patenting process.
An immediate eye-catcher is the silver outer skin from AkzoNobel with a finish
that resembles sparkling ice crystals. It ties in with the Goodyear
low-rolling-resistance tires in size 205/40-17 mounted on 7.5-inch AEZ rims,
whose decorative silver covers are attached to red fasteners with rubber bands.
At night the chrome-blue accent striping on either side stands out immediately,
developed by Lumitec based on an electroluminescent 3D-flexible film. Anyone
with a message for their environment can broadcast it using the innovative "Identiface"
feature. This display-based surface, developed by MBtech, replaces the front
grille, which on an electric vehicle serves virtually no purpose. Thanks to
internet connectivity "Identiface" can display the owner's Facebook pages, news
from around the world, the manufacturer's badge or even the offer of a ride from
point A to point B.
The interior is dominated by black and red. The high-tech Schoeller yarns have
strong natural thermoregulation, good insulation and a high capacity for
absorbing moisture. They keep comfortably warm in winter and remain pleasantly
cool in summer. Premium automotive textile manufacturer Gaenslen&Völter spun
them into soft, supple upholstery that provides that special feel-good factor.
And wherever plastics are used, it is in the form of high-grade man-made
materials, such as the creatively and stylishly embossed synthetic leather that
is supplied by Hornschuch, a specialist in this field. The transparent roof and
its distinctive grass inlays - as well as a number of other interior materials -
were contributed by Studer. The view ahead is dominated by a 12.1-inch monitor.
It belongs to the multimedia equipment and is part of the intelligent
infotainment system developed from Harman. The platform features the latest
integration technologies for smart phones, adaptive navigation and the
cloud-based Aha-platform with a flexible Human Machine Interface (HMI) and
gesture control in order to bring digital contents intuitively, easy and safely
into the car. This gesture-controlled system makes operation of the contents
child's play and the four cameras integrated into the vehicle body make dents
from parking maneuvers things of the past.
The instruments were again supplied by - who else? - VDO. Also brand-new is the
steering wheel from the German-Japanese Takata Corporation with integrated
"parking space" for a smartphone, which serves as a second monitor when docked.
This is made possible these days by a driver airbag that thanks to vacuum
technology requires reduced installation space.
But "Dock+Go" offers more than just style; it also serves up a high level of
technical sophistication. The recently newly developed high-strength,
lightweight door frames come from Austrian steel manufacturer Voestalpine. Weber
Fibertech built the extremely lightweight liftgate insert with function
integration, the high voltage electric heater including the futuristic air vents
were supplied by German specialist Eberspächer. No compromises can be made when
it comes to handling huge amounts of energy safely, a fact accounted for by the
extremely robust electric plug connectors from TE Electronics. Apropos plug
connectors: recharging the car no longer requires it to be plugged in. Instead
the vehicle simply rolls onto an induction field from SEW Eurodrive for
non-contact charging.
"Dock+Go" is a clever mobility concept, implemented rich with emotions, enhanced
with technical delicacies and intriguing enough for Swiss insurance giant Zürich
Versicherung to commit to the cause. Who wouldn't think of a series production
in this context? No wonder that dynamic Frank M. Rinderknecht, one of the
flagships for Swiss watch manufacturer C.F. Bucherer, is toying with this
possibility. Rinderknecht on this issue: "Yes, we have been in productive talks
with potential manufacturers for some time now." Düsseldorf-based consulting
company A.T. Kearney at any rate has already devised a manufacturing and
marketing concept for the series production.
The concept will be on display for hands-on inspection at the Geneva Motor Show,
March 8 through 18, 2012.