Anyone who wants to change the world needs visions. And no, it is not always a case for the doctor. Even when a certain Nicolas Hayek had a vision in 1993, it was more of a case for an automotive company with a history than for the uncle doctor. "reduce to the max”Was born and with it an active claim for the smart brand for many years.

The smart is celebrating its 2018th anniversary in 20, so it has long since come of age. A good time to look a little further into the future. There is a mobility vision 2030+ within the Daimler Group and the smart brand has now also found a place here. Important: Much of it is simply a vision. And to explain that again: a vision is simply an image related to the future. Sometimes it turns into a mirage, sometimes it becomes a revelation. In any case, you can discuss it. And that's exactly what smart invites you to do with its "smart vision EQ for two" on.

Autonomous, emission-free, networked and a little tinder for motorists

smart vision EQ for two

Thanks to Car-2-Go, the smart brand and its parent company Daimler have enormous experience in the field of “fleet management” and “free-floating” car sharing. And that makes sense. The experts agree that there are three issues that will influence individual mobility in the future: “Networking, autonomous driving and sharing”. The Daimler Group has these priorities under the heading "CASE”And shows the next logical step with the study for the IAA 2017. Because while you are already one of the top players in car sharing, the coming changes are still a bit of uncharted territory. For all manufacturers.

An assessment by those responsible for Car-2-Go also shows what potential the topic of “autonomous driving” offers for car sharing projects. According to experts, the integration of autonomous vehicles would bring an efficiency increase of 50%. In other words, a 50% smaller vehicle fleet could do exactly what you can achieve with the current status quo. And you have to take into account that in cities like Madrid, Car-2-go already achieves a utilization of 16 rentals per day, per vehicle! 16 !!

Curtain up for the smart vision EQ fortwo

Passionate drivers must be brave now. The Smart Vision for Urban Mobility 2030 + is not something to get carried away with petrolheads. That's exactly how the geeks at google probably imagined a self-propelled capsule.

Still 2.69m tall, space for 2 people and electrically powered. And self-driving. These are the brief facts behind the idea. As is usual with “visions” and concept vehicles, not every idea, every implementation has to become reality. smart dreams of individual mobility that is environmentally friendly. Appears pleasant and commutes autonomously from operation to operation. For smart, however, it is also clear that if we achieve level 5 of autonomy in the car, then an offer for individual mobility in the city no longer needs a steering wheel. And no accelerator pedals. Instead, a wide bench, a large display and - watch out - new friends.

Let's get to the Tinder point

Apparently living together in big cities and modern technology in connection with basic human needs lead to developments like Tinder. A platform where people meet - or first choose one another - to then engage in social interaction. (The author of these lines is 42, married and lives in the country. Here you learned to take with you what was offered at the village festival ... no matter, we digress ..).  The visionaries at smart probably had the basic idea of ​​efficiency in the back of their minds when they formulated the idea - thanks to its networking and the needs of big city residents, the “smart vision EQ fortwo” could also serve as a “contact platform” after urban mobility . You may see it as a modern solution for a car pool - or as a new dating platform. According to your own imagination. First of all, the idea itself is nice. You book your shuttle, set the route and then offer others to take part in the trip in whole or in part. Of course, this is praiseworthy and certainly also makes sense, only the mechanics of how digital platforms are used today makes you think that the smart vision EQ makers had also thought of a private retreat for the large pivoting doors with display functions.

And that is precisely what makes the success of Car-2-Go. Urban mobility without having to wait on the bus, fight for seats, or get in touch with others' snot.

That people prefer to speak of “giving back to the community” and use the glass surfaces of the doors as displays for news or weather is only understandable. Presumably, however, it will turn out to be more of an advertising space and a usage scenario will be: To be able to drive the route at half the price if you let the smart vision EQ fortwo drive as an advertising pillar. Of course, only if the ad pricing algorithm can book the right advertising material for the required route.

Visions are discussion basics

The concept vehicle is still a long way from being a series. Discussions about the details are therefore unnecessary. What is not superfluous, on the contrary, which will raise many questions, is the upheaval facing the automotive industry. E-vehicles, autonomous vehicles and sharing concepts as well as intelligent networking are reason enough to discuss ideas. smart has already adopted familiar ideas from the Daimler Group in the two-seater of the future. The possibility of communicating with the outside world, using characters, digital winking or colored information - these are basic functions that have to be developed in such a way that you can take society with you. The idea behind the smart vision EQ fortwo is correct. That car sharing is raised to a new level when you no longer have to go to the car, but the car comes to you - naturally makes sense. It is more than understandable that you may feel the desire to give the “rolling smart device” a personality, as you do with cell phone cases today. That it makes sense to look for solutions in digital networking on how to increase efficiency and form car pools - absolutely logical. Do you need an integrated disinfection dispenser and a teddy bear holder;)? Probably not.