SHANGHAI, April 16 (Xinhua) — German carmaker Audi debuted its new concept car AI:ME at the ongoing Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition Tuesday.
Equipped with a level four autonomous driving system, also known as the "mind-off" level, the electric car aims to present a new design of city cars in the near future.
With an exterior length of 4.3 meters and a width of 1.9 meters, the model mainly focuses on its interior space. Audi said the concept car could offer drivers and occupants more interior space with a more comfortable experience.
The car is able to accommodate up to four occupants.
"With level four unmanned driving technology, the driver can do anything while the car handles the driving in specific areas such as highways or a specially equipped area in inner cities," said James Nissen, interior designer of the Audi AI:ME concept. The driver needs to resume the task only when the car leaves the area defined for fully automated driving.
Audi said eye-tracking, voice input and touch-sensitive technologies would be used to support the vehicle's communication and interaction systems.
The concept car is also equipped with VR goggles allowing passengers to watch movies and playing Internet games.
The 18th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition opens to the media on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the public is expected to visit the show from April 18 to 25.
The exhibition has attracted over 1,000 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions worldwide, according to organizers.