Audi's New Elaine Concept Can Feel Your Pain
Audi hit the 2017 Frankfurt Autoshow with two new AI centric concept cars. We present to you Elaine; the car that your doting mother would approve of.
A special kind of vehicle
Stepping away from convention is this new concept from Audi that ditches an alphanumeric nameplate and simply goes for something more pedestrian; Elaine. This new vehicle from the minds at Audi is a concept electric SUV coupe that will be autonomous and will feature a new AI system. The brand says that new system will be capable of learning, thinking, and even expressing empathy.
>>Join the conversation about the Elaine EV concept right here in the Audi World Forum!
Level 4 autonomy
That empathy will come by way of waiting and anticipating the wishes of drivers along with any passengers that may be inside of the vehicle. Think of the car as not only a chauffeur but a personal concierge that will book a service for you without you lifting a single finger. Users can follow the vehicle's actions when they are away from the car while it is parking itself and can add new tasks to the system via the mobile app. Want the car to go get itself washed? No problem. Want to have the car charged up by the time you're done with your on-foot errand? The SUV will drive itself to a wireless charging post.
>>Join the conversation about the Elaine EV concept right here in the Audi World Forum!
Lights for this and lights for that
If you find yourself wondering why Elaine might giving you a case of deja vu then just know that this exterior was also used at the Shanghai Autoshow as the E-Tron Sportback. However, Elaine does have a brand new trick by way of distintive lighting tracks that dot the SUv in various places. These lights can be visible in both night and day and are digitally controlled LED units that make for great lighting sources. The lights also serve as a form of communication with other road users who can be informed of the driving mode that the SUV is in at that moment.
>>Join the conversation about the Elaine EV concept right here in the Audi World Forum!
A sure rival for Tesla
Some differences on the outside are there but the biggest changes can be seen underneath the skin. Powering the SUV is a three-motor electric powertrain, one for the front wheels and two for the wheels in the rear. There is a 95-kWh battery with a total system output listed at 429 horsepower or a temporary 496 hp via "boost mode." Power from these motors and the battery is sent to all four corners so rest assured that quattro levels of grip will be there. The concept has a 0-62 mph time of 4.5 seconds with a range of about 311 miles.
>>Join the conversation about the Elaine EV concept right here in the Audi World Forum!
Seamless vehicle syncing
Elaine's magic doesn't end at autonomous driving and recommending a new restaurant to you, the system can also help with music selection and freeway driving style. All of the information about what tastes you have and driving information will be stored in the cloud and can be transferredacrossother vehicles. This means that in the future when you move onto another Audi vehicle all of the stored info will transfer right over to your new purchase.
>>Join the conversation about the Elaine EV concept right here in the Audi World Forum!
Evolution through human preservation
Another addition to making your time spent in the Elaine a pleasent one is Audi Fit. This program will work to ensure that your day is less stressful by measuring biofeedback, suggesting breathing techniques, engaging the seat massagers, and talking to a wearable device you may own to gain better insight into your health. Speaking to Motor Authority Audi confirmed that a vehicle like Elaine could be available as soon as 2019 for a 2020 production model. "This car won't be coming to the US, but something much like it will," remarked Audi of America's CEO Scott Keogh. "You can see it in the shapes that we have already with the A7 fastback and other like it, so what I would expect is something like this will be coming and soon."
>>Join the conversation about the Elaine EV concept right here in the Audi World Forum!
For help with service of your car, check out the how to section of AudiWorld.com