Renault’s New EZ-GO Robo-Vehicle Wants To Be The Ride-Sharing Taxi Of The Future

Renault EZ-GO autonomous vehicle GIMS

Renault


So far the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show has been a piston-head’s nirvana with so many stunning and super-powered new cars being unveiled our collective visual senses can barely handle it.

From Bentleys to Bugattis to Huracans and Hyundais, and pretty much everything in between, no stone has been left unturned by some of the most creative automakers on the planet.

Which brings us to Renault, who just unveiled their latest concept in the new EZ-GO robo-vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show with a plan for it to eventually become the ride-sharing taxi of the future.

Motor1.com provides a succinct recap of what they learned about the Renault EZ-GO in Geneva…

It’s the first act in a Renault mobility trilogy to be presented this year that showcases a shared global vehicle concept. This so-called “Robo-Taxi” can be both car and service provider, tailored for both public and private use and fully integrated with the city’s transport system in the same way buses, trains and taxis are today.

The design is strongly focused on access and makes a few assumptions about future use. For starters, performance has been capped at 50 kph (31 mph), meaning it doesn’t require seatbelts by law. The car is low and generously glazed, while the trapezoidal profile also has functional benefits for packaging and for allowing existing Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology to scan the road most efficiently. And while most privately owned cars have an operational time of two hours per day, the EZ-GO will be operated 20 hours per day, compressing the cost per mile value equation.

Renault expects to have their autonomous vehicles on major metropolitan streets by 2022, but design boss Laurens van den Acker hinted that they are unlikely to look like the current version of the EZ-GO.

“We are learning every day about consumer needs. If, by some miracle, we get it right first time, then you’ll see EZ-GO on the streets, but this is such a vast terrain,” said van den Acker.

So what do you think about rolling around town in one of these? They can’t get here soon enough as far as I am concerned.

Renault EZ-GO autonomous vehicle GIMS

Renault


Renault EZ-GO autonomous vehicle GIMS

Renault




Renault EZ-GO autonomous vehicle GIMS

Renault


Renault EZ-GO autonomous vehicle GIMS

Renault


Renault EZ-GO autonomous vehicle GIMS

Renault




Renault EZ-GO autonomous vehicle GIMS

Renault


Renault EZ-GO autonomous vehicle GIMS

Renault


Renault EZ-GO autonomous vehicle GIMS

Renault


Renault EZ-GO autonomous vehicle GIMS

Renault