Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz, posed a compelling question at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas: “Where do we take it from here?” The answer emerged as a groundbreaking global partnership between Mercedes-Benz and the creators of the Avatar cinematic universe. This alliance signifies a pivotal step towards carbon-neutral vehicle production and underscores the urgent need for a sustainable future in the automotive industry.
This unique collaboration gave birth to the Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR – an acronym for “Advanced Vehicle Transformation”. This concept vehicle is not merely a car; it’s a redefinition of automotive possibilities, drawing profound inspiration from the world of Avatar. The VISION AVTR is designed to foster unprecedented interactions between humans, machines, and nature, presenting a visionary perspective on the future of driving.
Mirroring the harmonious existence of the Na’vi with their environment in Avatar, the VISION AVTR is engineered for sustainable operation with zero emissions, aiming to reconnect drivers with the natural world. Its holistic system operates independently of fossil fuels, utilizing graphene-based organic cell technology, which eliminates the need for rare and toxic materials. This innovative power system provides an impressive range of 435 miles, and the conductive charging technology allows for a full recharge in a mere 15 minutes. Notably, the organic battery components are designed to be compostable and recyclable, emphasizing the importance of a circular economy in future automotive production.
Mercedes-Benz designers have breathed life into the machine, creating intuitive interactions that were previously unimaginable. The driving experience is designed to be a symbiosis between the driver and the natural surroundings, seamlessly merging human and machine. A curved display module showcases real-time 3D graphics of natural wonders, such as China’s Huangshan mountain range, the towering Hyperion Tree in California, and Australia’s vibrant Pink Lake Hillier. These visuals illustrate natural forces often invisible to the human eye, including bioenergy, magnetic fields, and ultraviolet light, enriching the driving experience with elements of the natural world.
The VISION AVTR makes a bold statement on progressive luxury through its revolutionary and immersive design. The dynamic interior contours and ambient light strips borrow elements directly from nature, creating a serene and futuristic cabin environment. Eschewing traditional buttons and switches, the vehicle projects its functions onto the driver’s body or hand, achieving a seamless and intuitive interface. The center console, inspired by the Tree of Souls from Avatar, extends upwards to form a transparent roof structure, playing with light, colors, and holographic effects. Further enhancing the interplay with nature, sections of the interior are crafted with color-changing fabrics that respond to natural light, creating a dynamic and organic ambiance within the vehicle.
The exterior of the VISION AVTR is a stunning sculpture that embodies a tangible dialogue between luxury and sustainability. The stretched “One Bow” design evokes a fluid, loop-like structure, again drawing inspiration from the Na’vi culture. Fiber optic elements pulse throughout the vehicle, resembling neural pathways and visually representing the flow of energy into the tires. Each wheel is engineered for independent drive, enabling rotations of up to 30 degrees for unique sideways, crab-like movement, enhancing maneuverability and adding to the vehicle’s otherworldly feel. Perhaps most strikingly, the 33 multi-directional moveable surface elements, known as “bionic flaps,” interact in a fascinating, almost organic manner, facilitating communication between the vehicle, the outside world, and the driver, blurring the lines between technology and nature.
The Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR concept car was unveiled to the world on January 6, 2020, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, marking a significant moment in automotive innovation and sustainable design.
