Mercedes Benz is using equal parts star power and sustainable energy to fuel its latest show-stopping concept car, the Vizion AVTR.
In a keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Monday, Daimler-Benz rolled out its bizarre new electric concept car which is inspired by the blockbuster movie, Avatar.
To help translate the idea behind the car’s design, Daimler-Benz enlisted the help of the movie’s director, James Cameron.
Cameron, who is working on sequels to the original movie, which was first released more than ten years ago in 2009, took the opportunity to highlight Avatar’s underpinning message of sustainability and how that message found its way into the vehicle.
Daimler announces the world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car at the Daimler Keynote along with a sneak peek of the new Avatar 2 movie (background image)
Ola Kallenius, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, speaks next to the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car during a keynote address at CES 2020
‘I sat at this car, at the control interface and it just felt alive, it breathes, it’s just organic,’ said Cameron.
The entirely electric car, a sleek and futuristic looking sedan, is capable of traveling autonomously and can even use its unique wheel design to slide sideways using ‘bionic flaps’ that are modeled after a reptile’s scales.
The so-called flaps all allow front and rear axles in the same or opposite direction, and give the VISION AVTR the ability to move sideways by about 30 degrees, in a type of “crab movement’ that also gives the concept vehicle an animal-like exterior.
The car, even takes some of its functional cues from the movie franchise, using what the company calls ‘biometric connection.’
The Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car, inspired by the Avatar movies, is displayed after an unveiling at a Daimler keynote address during the 2020 CES in Las Vegas
The Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car features ‘bionic flaps’ that are modeled after a reptile’s scales
Drivers activate the car, which doesn’t have a steering wheel, by placing their hand on a central control unit – an action meant to mimic an iconic detail from the Avatar films.
‘The [interior] comes to life and the vehicle recognizes the driver by his or her heartbeat and breathing,’ according to Daimler.
By lifting one’s hand, a menu selection is projected onto the palm through which the passenger can choose between different functions.
For example, real-time 3D graphics can be used to explore the fictional world of Pandora from different perspectives. A display module in the dashboard creates a visual connection between passengers and the outside world.
Movie director James Cameron, second from right, who directed movies such as Avatar, talks about the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car at the Daimler Keynote
Director James Cameron and Ola Kallenius, chairman of the board of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, stand by the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car, inspired by the Avatar movies
The Vision AVTR also embodies the themes of the Avatar films by using a novel organic battery that doesn’t use any rare-earth metals
The materials of the battery are also compostable and completely recyclable which helps it to avoid reliance on fossil fuels.
Though the concept car will likely never see the road, Cameron said it’s not the product that matters, it’s what the car represents.
‘I was a little disappointed to find out I can’t order one, but apparently we’re a ways off from that,’ said Cameron to audience laughter.
‘Do you want to aspire for a future where cars like this are possible or do you want to be a bad steward?… You have to start with the gesture, you have to start with the idea.’
