Audi's off-roader of the future

Wednesday, 11 September 2019

Audi has revealed its vision for a self-driving electric off-roader of the future, and if that is our motoring future, then we are completely on-board with that.

The AI:TRAIL is the latest in Audi's line of AI concept cars (following on from the Aicon, AI:ME and AI:RACE) and, while it is (it actually neither is nor will likely ever be, but let's just go with Audi's descriptive language here, shall we?) capable of full level 4 autonomous driving, there are no massive screens plastered around its interior; the AI:TRAIL is all about enjoying the view whether you are driving or not.

Audi says the cockpit is 'helicopter-inspired', and as such, the windscreen wraps around the front of the vehicle like the cockpit of a helicopter.

The AI:TRAIL is all-electric, with a powertrain that produces a maximum system output of 320kW and 1,000Nm.

Passengers have an unobstructed view of the road or trail both in front and to the sides, and almost the entire roof - from the top of the windscreen to the rear spoiler - allows a clear view of the sky and the landscape. Even where a grille would traditionally be is glass, with only the four rings of the badge sitting in their customary position in what is otherwise a glass octagon.

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The AI:TRAIL features a special tyre design that features a structure of supporting struts integrated in the treads that allows the tyres themselves to contribute a further 60 millimetres of suspension travel.

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The AI:TRAIL's interior is seriously minimalist, with no big screens so passengers can appreciate the view.

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Both the windscreen and the tailgate open wide, providing easy access to large storage compartments with straps to keep luggage secure in transit. Integrated in the bumper at the rear is another separate compartment for dirty items such as hiking boots, climbing gear or wet clothing.

Audi has replaced traditional headlights with drones that operate in pairs to illuminate the way ahead.

The side sills beneath the opposing doors act as retractable running boards, making it easier to load and unload the roof rack, and instead of enclosed wheel wells, horizontal wings are all that sit above the four wheels, making it possible to see the suspension in action from the cockpit even during travel.

While the AI:TRAIL is capable of level 4 autonomy on sealed roads, it still features a steering wheel and pedals, because - as Audi points out - even though unpaved dirt tracks and forest paths have been mapped extensively through digital cartography, the way in which their surfaces frequently erode makes them too variable to allow for automated driving reliably and for any extended period.

Which is fine by us, because if the AI:TRAIL can drive us home after a long day having manual-driving fun in the mud, then all the better.

With a range of between 400 and 500km, the AI:TRAIL is limited to a top speed of 130km/h in order to maximise the range for off-road conditions. Even allowing for off-road driving with constant wheel-slip and higher energy consumption, Audi says its range is still an impressive 250km.

One of the AI:TRAIL's coolest high-tech gadgets is its lighting: instead of conventional headlights, self-contained light sources sit below the A-pillars and can shine both outward and inward, and can be used as interior lighting as well as for lighting the vehicle's path. The rear light operates in a similar way, extending across the full width of the rear section.

Instead of a conventional highbeams - or even a lightbar for off-road conditions at night - the AI:TRAIL is equipped with five rotorless, triangular, electrically operated drones with integrated matrix LED elements. They are capable of landing on a roof rack or directly on the roof of the vehicle, and docking onto the inductive charging elements.

Audi calls the drones 'Audi Light Pathfinders' and they generate their lift in the same way as bladeless fans produce their air flow.

The Pathfinders can fly ahead of the AI:TRAIL and illuminate the path ahead (consuming comparably little energy in the process, because they are so lightweight), thereby replacing headlights entirely. A video image can also be transmitted from the drones to the display in front of the driver via Wi-Fi.

When the AI:TRAIL is stationary, the drones can also illuminate the surrounding area from their position on the roof, or illuminate the interior through the transparent panoramic roof.

And for the tech-nerd highlight, when integrated with the AI:TRAIL's navigation system, the drones are capable of projecting directional symbols and even written information onto a route and thereby helping AI:TRAIL users to find their way around, even when hiking.