Pininfarina presented Teorema, its first ever 100 per cent virtually developed concept car. A new interpretation of fully electric, autonomous mobility in the name of user experience and technology. Auto&Design had the chance to discover it during a press preview in Cambiano, testing the Mixed Reality technology that merges the virtual concept car with real background.
“Pininfarina has always looked to the future using concept cars as an innovation tool to chart the direction and introduce new visions in terms of usability and technology in the automotive industry – comments Chief Creative Officer Kevin Rice. – Teorema, in particular, wants to give people back the pleasure of living the car, driving and travelling, without the frustrations of increased congestion and other compromises, all while integrating AI, 5G and the latest technology to drive passengers towards new incredible experiences along the journey.”
The design teams in Cambiano and Shanghai created the interior experience before developing the exterior, starting from an electric skateboard chassis which allows the car to have a comfortable large space on its inside. Over the course of the project, the Pininfarina Virtual Lab, which is integral part of the design process, employed Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and also new Mixed Reality technology to explore different shapes, experiences and scenarios quickly.
1400 mm in height and 5400 mm in length, Teorema is conceived both to allow passengers to share experiences along the journey and to provide moments of privacy when desired. Getting inside the Teorema takes place by simply walking inside of it as the rear opens and the roof extends upwards and forwards, leaving ground to a foot-triggering floor that guides passengers to their seats. The side of the car can be used as backrest when passengers want to, as there is no side entry, thus also making the car stiffer and lighter.
Teorema also embeds an innovative aerodynamic concept validated though CFD assessments. When seen from above, Teorema is split into three separate parts. Between the central living space and the outside surface of each side of the car, open air channels allow air to stream through the whole vehicle. Duct sections smoothly decrease their area and this shape generates an acceleration of air flow passing through them. The high-speed jets that exit at the rear end of the car reduce the wake dimension improving the aerodynamic performance, helping reduce drag and improving the car’s efficiency.
Teorema is completely autonomous but it can easily switch across different driving modes: Autonomy Mode (with the driver facing the other four passengers), Drive Mode and Rest Mode, when the car is stationary and the whole interior becomes a social space, with the smart seats automatically changing to allow people to socialize or lounge.
Pininfarina’s Virtual Concept Car features different technologies integrated thanks to the collaboration of selected leading partners who worked together to deliver the most incredible passenger experience. WayRay for True Augmented Reality, Continental Engineering Services for Smart Surfaces and Intelligent Glass, Poltrona Frau for Seats and Benteler for the Rolling Chassis.
