Rinspeed Budii concept set for Geneva

Getting an early start on the annual teasing game for the 2015 Geneva Auto show, Rinspeed has provided a glimpse of what it will be revealing next March. Frank Rinderknecht, head of the Swiss design group that specializes in futuristic automotive tech, will show his latest take on an evolutionary autonomous vehicle, the Rinspeed Budii. Because Rinderknecht believes the transition from traditional to fully autonomous cars will only occur in stages, the Budii — an electric powered "trans-urban" 5-door hatchback  – is capable of seamlessly transitioning between either mode. 

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Although not ready to reveal a great deal about its on-board technology at this point, Rinderknecht envisioned the Budii as becoming its operator’s "best buddy" when out on the road. As such, it’s equipped with an autopilot system that will not only learn its owner’s habits and preferences but interact with its surroundings using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. Major systems are accessed by a large multifunction touchscreen display and the Budii’s steering wheel is mounted on an articulated robotic arm that allows either front seat occupant to take control — or for the wheel to be conveniently stowed in a forward-center position when it’s not needed. 

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