Mercedes-Benz Vans has revealed its Vision Urbanetic: its urban mobility concept which the manufacturer says will eliminate the separation between people moving and goods transport.
The concept is based on a self-driving, electrically powered chassis that can take different switchable bodies depending on what it is transporting.
As a ride-sharing vehicle, Vision Urbanetic can accommodate up to 12 passengers, while the cargo module can carry up to 10 EPAL pallets.
The modules can be switched either automatically or manually, with the automated process taking just a few minutes.
The concept incorporates an IT infrastructure that analyses in real time the supply and demand within a defined area.
Mercedes-Benz says the result of this is a self-driving fleet, with routes planned flexibly and efficiently on the basis of current transportation needs.
As well as analysing current needs, it can also learn from them, meaning it can react to future requirements from events such as concerts to optimise processes and help shorten waiting and delivery times and avoid traffic jams.
The overall system can use the data captured by the vehicle control centre to identify a crowd of people gathering in a certain area.
It can send vehicles there to quickly and efficiently satisfy the increased demand.
VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz Vans' Vision Urbanetic concept
Andrew Ryan is the features editor at Fleet News. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and has specialised in the fleet industry for the past 12.
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