EDAG’s 3D-Printed Soulmate Concept Is All Networked Up

EDAG teamed up with Bosch in order to show the world how the Internet is capable of revolutionizing the car of the future.

The EDAG ‘Soulmate’ is a concept car that demonstrates how networking digital data from the outside world with the vehicle itself, will make driving safer and more comfortable in the future.

In order to create the exterior of the car, EDAG used 3D printing technology to obtain a lightweight design, though it’s the interior and the on-board gear itself that steals the show in terms of connectivity. Still, before we get too caught up in the tech, we should mention that the Soulmate’s exterior is covered in a luminous outer skin which can actually alert other drivers to a possible hazard ahead.

So, on the inside, EDAG started off by uniting the dashboard and the center console into a single electronic display which adapts to the vehicle’s current environment while at the same time, taking into account the driver’s calendar and personal preferences. For example, if one of the driver’s appointments is canceled, the vehicle automatically adjusts the route to give him more free time. Furthermore, the driver is in constant contact with his smart home via the “Internet of Things”. If a deliveryman comes to the door, the driver can grant him access simply by using the car’s display.

Also, in order to make sure that operating all of the Soulmate’s systems is safe while driving, EDAG also came up with gesture and visual controls.

Another cool addition has been Bosch’s “neoSense” haptic display, which is basically a touch screen that gives the driver the feeling that he is using mechanical buttons by generating different surface textures – which really does sound like something out of a Star Trek episode.

As for the autonomous side of things, Bosh has estimated that highly automated driving will reduce accident numbers by up to a third in Germany alone. They also said that in the future, cars will actually be able to see around bends and know about potential hazards even before they’ve entered the driver’s field of vision. This will be possible thanks to a stream of real-time information regarding traffic jams, construction sites and accidents.

While at Geneva, EDAG will be discussing their ideals and aims for the future, while focusing on their ability to develop new technologies and gradually transfer them to production-ready concepts.