Forget the Apple x Hyundai driverless car, London-based Heatherwick Studio have released a design concept for the Airo electric car, that will “vacuum up pollutants from other cars”.
It seems almost too good to be true; a car that cleans up pollution rather than creating it.
Revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show, the design for newly formed Chinese brand IM Motors, was designed by Heatherwick Studio as the company’s first project.
Named Airo, the electric car will be fitted with high-efficiency particulate air; a filtering system that will actively clean pollution. The car will be electric, with both driverless and driver-controlled modes.
“Airo isn’t simply another electric car that doesn’t pollute the air,” said Thomas Heatherwick, founder of Heatherwick Studio, in an article on Dezeen. “Instead, using the latest HEPA-filter technology, it goes further by also vacuuming up pollutants from other cars as it drives along.”
Not only does this concept seem revolutionary in a hopeful world of growing and evolving to protect our environment, but the car has been designed in an ultra-futuristic and fun way.
The interior has rotating seats, so it can be easily transformed into a little dining room, with the seats facing each other at a four-leaf table, it could be used to have snacks, drinks or even play board games.
It also has the capacity to turn into a bedroom, as the contoured seats can fully recline to make a double bed. Take about using the space!
“Designed to simultaneously address the global space shortage, Airo is also a multi-functional room with extra space for dining, working, gaming or even sleeping,” said Heatherwick.
“As a new room for our lives, with a changing view, Airo is a car intended to transport us to a cleaner and better future.”
To go with this design concept, Heatherwick Studio has also conceptualised a charging station, that they describe as “oozing with character”, and we’d have to agree. Not only are they sexy and sleek, but they’re built from weathered steel and other sustainable materials.
And the best part of all – we don’t have to wait very long! Airo is set to go into production in 2023.
Imagining these cars zipping around the streets does look a little too futuristic to feel real, but perhaps the future is now. And with designs like this, it’s actually looking pretty bright.
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