- Three new pod designs revealed for the Citroën Skate, a self-driving EV platform which can be paired with a range of pods, offering passengers a unique experience when travelling around town.
- Part of Citroën’s Autonomous Mobility Vision, an innovative concept of shared, autonomous and clean mobility.
- The pods have been developed by Citroën China: Immersive Air, an all-new physical pod, Cozy Capsule and Wander Café (digital pod designs).
Citroën has revealed three new pod designs at the Shanghai Motor Show, which have been developed for its self-driving EV platform, the Citroën Skate.
The new pod designs form part of the Citroën Autonomous Mobility Vision, an innovative concept of shared, autonomous and clean mobility based on the Citroën Skate, a self-driving EV platform which can be combined with a range of pods, each developed to deliver a unique experience.
Any third party can decide to develop a compatible pod based on the technical specifications of the Citroën Skate. Whatever their need, communities, public authorities and companies can take advantage of Citroën Skate technology by developing their own pods for transporting people or goods or providing services, in a public or private space.
THREE NEW POD DESIGNS
Three new pods have been developed by Citroën China: Cozy Capsule, Immersive Air and Wander Café.
Immersive Air is the only physical pod, featuring a multi-passenger design with an oval shape, intersected with a vertical rectangular spine. It also features a tinted dual sliding glass door and panoramic window.
Inside, Immersive Air is an entertainment pod where passengers can play video games, listen to music, sing songs or watch movies, featuring mood lighting, a 4K display, microphone and surround sound to create an immersive experience. The pod’s lounge seating is built with Citroen’s trademark comfort, with well-designed ergonomics and a special weaving pattern with red and blue trim.
Cozy Capsule offers a warm and private travelling experience for up to two passengers. This pod design is inspired by French perfume bottles, with a crystal exterior shell and mood lighting on the upper body.
Inside, the pod features a soft, orange-coloured eggshell seat design incorporating Citroën Advanced Comfort® technology. The main seat can be reclined 180 degrees and is trimmed in soft-touch Alcantara. The second seat is made from cork material with the backrest extended to the side as armrests. The interior space offers an integrated air-purifier and self-watered hanging green plants for a healthy, pleasant cabin experience. The recycled base and cork interior make this pod an eco-friendly design statement.
Wander Café is an open-air pod with a floating ceiling and modern architectural graphic structure that rolls up from the side to shade the seating area. The doorless design makes moving in and out very convenient. The pod provides easy access to self-served food and drinks which can be ordered through the HMI-integrated table display.
CITROËN SKATE IN DETAIL
1. On-board technology for improved urban mobility
The Citroën Skate is an urban mobility solution able to travel around all urban centres in dedicated protected lanes to ensure fluid and optimised mobility. Autonomous, electric and chargeable via induction, the Citroën Skate can operate almost continuously, 24/7, charging itself automatically when necessary at dedicated charging bases.
The Citroën Skate is the mobility platform allowing the pods to move as needed: it positions itself below the pods on demand, which can then be attached in less than 10 seconds.
The top speed of the Citroën Skate is limited to 25km/h (15.5mph) or 5km/h (3mph) to ensure the safety of all users depending on the area, while the speed can be configured according to how the pods are used.
The Citroën Skate features a minimal footprint, measuring 2.60m long, 1.60m wide and 51cm high, meaning it doesn’t encroach on public space. Its compact dimensions and design make it a clever and universal mobility solution.
2. Design showcasing technology
The design of the Citroën Skate incorporates macro-chevrons and materials with dark shades combining matte black and aluminium finishes, acting as a showcase for the pods placed on top. The double-chevron logo, proudly displayed at the centre of the Citroën Skate, reinterprets the brand’s original logo by playing with textures and materials.
Embedded systems are spread all around the Citroën Skate, concealed behind the Citroën logos to ensure completely safe and autonomous driving by detecting pedestrians, cars, cyclists, scooters or any other object on the road. Since the front and rear of the Citroën Skate are completely identical, the Citroën logos are backlit, white at the front and red at the rear, to comply with regulations and clearly indicate the direction of travel to other road users.
To provide unparalleled driving comfort during travel, as well as to accommodate the pods comfortably and without jolts, the Citroën Skate is fitted with movable hydraulic cushions. Citroën Advanced Comfort® logos provide a reminder that Citroën is synonymous with comfort, whatever the type of vehicle.
3. Goodyear wheels
The wheels, which are revolutionary in their concept and design, were devised and developed by Goodyear. Incorporating small electric motors, they give the Skate complete 360° freedom of movement so that it can travel in any direction, turn on the spot and inch its way into the smallest spaces, without concerning itself with a specific direction of travel.
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