- Cars
At the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz presented the car of the future: the VISION AVTR. It has no steering wheel and is durable, flexible and powerful. The ground-breaking concept car was inspired by AVATAR and embodies Mercedes-Benz's vision of mobility in the distant future.
The VISION AVTR was inspired by Pandora, the world in the famous science fiction film AVATAR. The director of AVATAR, James Cameron, helped to develop idea for this car. The whole concept stands for a new interaction between man, machine and nature. And we can also recognize the luminous blue and purple colours from the film. Though the name AVTR does not only come from AVATAR. It also stands for Advanced Vehicle Transformation. Mercedes-Benz shows how they see sustainable, emission-free mobility. 
The concept car is sustainable in many ways. For example, it has four powerful electric motors which are mounted in the wheels and together create an engine output of more than 350 kW. In addition, the car is 100% recyclable as fossil resources are not required. The AVTR has an innovative electric drive system based on a powerful and compact high-voltage battery. For the first time, this battery technology was based on organic cell chemistry based on graphite. Precisely because of this, rare, toxic and expensive earth metals were not needed and electromobility is independent of fossil resources.
“The passengers' senses merge not only with the car, but also with the outside world.”
We’ll go passed further technical specifications – remember that the AVTR is durable, efficient and powerful – and move on to the futuristic look of the car. Inside and out, beauty is combined with digital elements and technology. As always, the design process began with the experience of the passengers and their perception and needs. "The aim was to create a car that prolongs passengers' perception," we read in the release of Mercedes-Benz. "In addition, the aim was to create a comprehensive experience space in which passengers could connect with each other, with the vehicle and with the environment in a unique way.” 
The car has an inside-out design and because the lateral opening in the bodywork continues in the interior this creates a striking loop structure. This way, only one line is visible that doesn't stop anywhere. The one-line structure is characterised by organic forms which once again points to nature as a source of inspiration. You can even find floral and woven elements in the interior. "The passengers' senses merge not only with the car, but also with the outside world." You become one with the vehicle because there are no visible buttons or switches and functions are projected on the body or hand of the driver. In the same way the car doesn't have a steering wheel but a control in the centre console.
For the time being, this impressive Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR is not yet on the market, but it does give you an idea of what the harmony between man, nature and electromobility might look like in the future. 
All Images Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz