Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR Inspired by the future
Described by Mercedes-Benz’s head of advanced design, Stefan Köhl, as a “playgarden of new shapes and ideas within a human-centred design idiom”, it showcases how an S-Class for the 22nd century might look.
It is a bold approach, the AVTR is a ground breaking concept car that simply paves the future for an unprecedented global partnership between one of the most innovative brands in the entertainment industry and the eighth most valuable brand in the world, Mercedes-Benz.
In a recent interview with Autocar magazine Köhl mentioned, “We would not normally do this in car design.” He added further, “But in this case we felt a need to get more closely connected with nature. The whole premise of Avatar was of creatures adapted to their surroundings and we’ve attempted to mirror this approach with the Vision AVTR.”
Köhl is credited with influencing the look of many of Mercedes-Benz’s more recent concepts, says the firm’s designers met with the set designers of the Avatar movie to discuss how nature could play a more influential role in the design of future models when creating the new concept.
Design and UX
Fusion of interior and exterior: The holistic concept of the VISION AVTR stretches the design disciplines on an unprecedented scale. The distinctive inside-out design structure submerges the occupants into a digital world inspired by several creatures from the movie AVATAR. With its stretched “One Bow” design and organic design language, the VISION AVTR offers a visionary outlook on the design of the future.
Biometric connection: Instead of a conventional steering wheel, the multifunctional control element in the center console allows human and machine to merge. By placing the hand on the control unit, the interior comes to life and the vehicle recognizes the driver by his or her heartbeat and breathing.
Immersive experience space: By simply lifting the hand, a menu selection is projected onto the palm of the hand, through which the passenger can intuitively choose between different functionalities. For example, real-time 3D graphics can be used to explore the fictional world of Pandora from different perspectives. The curved display module creates the visual connection between passengers and the outside world.
Sustainability and Drive
Organic battery technology made of recyclable materials: For the first time, the VISION AVTR concept vehicle is using a revolutionary battery technology based on graphene-based organic cell chemistry that is completely free of rare earths and metals. The materials of the battery are compostable and therefore completely recyclable. In this way, electric mobility becomes independent of fossil resources. As a result, Mercedes-Benz underlines the high relevance of a future circular economy in the raw materials sector.
The vehicle as a living creature: The 33 “bionic flaps” on the back of the vehicle are reminiscent of reptile scales. They can communicate with the driver and through the driver with their outside world through naturally flowing movements in subtle gestures. Due to the possibility to drive the front and rear axles in the same or opposite direction, the VISION AVTR can move sideways by approx. 30 degrees, in contrast to conventional vehicles. The so-called “crab movement” gives the concept vehicle an animal-like appearance even in its movement.
Sustainable materials: The seats of the VISION AVTR are refined by vegan DINAMICA®leather. DINAMICA® is the first and only microfiber that guarantees environmental sustainability throughout the entire production cycle. The floor is decorated with an innovative wood called Karuun®. The raw material for Karuun (Rattan) grows very fast as a natural raw material and is harvested by hand in Indonesia. The material gives the interior warmth and radiates naturalness.
