The Smart Vision EQ Fortwo is a new vision of car sharing. Because transforming “urban traffic” into “city flow” in future will not only benefit the users but the public at large, too. Cities and municipal authorities are also a target group for future car-sharing concepts from smart.
The concept vehicle demonstrates how autonomous driving could make future car sharing even more convenient, simple and economically efficient.
Thanks to swarm intelligence and autonomous driving, the Smart Vision EQ Fortwo heralds a new era in car sharing, because users do not have to look for the next available car – it will find them and collect the passengers directly from their chosen location.
And thanks to swarm intelligence and the resulting predictability of demand, it will probably already be nearby, making the journey to pick up a “hire car” a thing of the past.
The Smart Vision EQ Fortwo is summoned using a mobile device. New individualisation options help users to recognise that it is “their” vehicle – the Black Panel at the front (size: 105 x 40 cm) as well as large projection surfaces at the sides allow the vehicle to be personalised. The Black Panel Grille also indicates whether the car is occupied by one or by two passengers.
LED displays in place of the headlamps can echo a classic look (from sporty to neutral) or take on an eye-like shape, which allows the vehicle to communicate on a more human level. The rear lamps can also have a conventional look or provide detailed information – for example, warnings or traffic information. The front radiator grille serves to add a personal touch and also to communicate with other road users (e.g. information for pedestrians crossing the road).
The doors are coated with a film that can be activated as required. If the car is unoccupied, information about local events, the weather, news or the time can be displayed.
Those who want can use the 1+1 sharing function to make contact with other interesting users. Possible passengers are suggested on the basis of their saved profiles and current travel plans, and can be accepted or rejected. When two passengers are on board, the large display in the interior shows shared interests such as concerts they have recently attended or sports that they play. The extra time gained as a result of travelling in an autonomous vehicle can be used to chat and interact.
The Smart Vision EQ Fortwo features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 30kWh. When not in use, each car makes its way independently to a charging station to load up with new energy. Alternatively, the cars can dock with the power grid inductively, feed in electricity and act as a “swarm battery”, taking pressure off the energy grid. 
Read about the driverless urban transport system to be introduced by Daimler and Bosch in 2020.
Check out Sedric, the driverless car that offers individual mobility at the touch of a button.
