Audi AI:ME – Urban Automation that's Not so Far Away!

Audi presented two world premieres at China’s Shanghai Motor Show, (from April 16th to 25th). Specially developed for the Chinese market, Audi is augmenting its all-electric product range with the Audi Q2L e-tron, which was specially developed for the Chinese market and a concept car, the AI:ME, Audi’s vision for automated urban driving.

The Audi AI:ME offers compact dimensions, a spacious, futuristic interior, and the ability to drive autonomously at level 4. The Audi AI:ME offers a broad range of high-tech features for communication, entertainment, or simply relaxation.

The electric Audi AI:ME has an exterior length of 4.30 metres, its wheelbase 2.77 metres, is 1,52 metres tall, with a width of 1.90 metres, all of which allows the Audi AI:ME to takes up as much traffic space as a present-day compact car.

Audi reckon its interior space puts it into the class above, all due to the architecture of the electric drive. Coming with and a large-volume interior without a propeller shaft tunnel. The drive unit is positioned on the rear axle and mobilizes 125 kW (170 metric hp).

Automated mobility

Audi AI:ME Audi AI is the cipher for a variety of electronic systems that relieve strain on drivers and simultaneously offer them new possibilities to use the time spent in the car. To this end, Audi AI also uses strategies and technologies from the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Audi AI also combines vehicle intelligence, which makes automated driving possible in the first place, and interaction intelligence, which turns the vehicle into the occupant’s partner. The name of the Audi AI:ME thus already makes the connection between AI and the users themselves. Audi AI systems are capable of learning and thinking, while also being proactive and personal. Thanks to Audi AI, models will be both intelligent and empathetic in the future. They will be able to continually interact with their surroundings and passengers, and adapt themselves in a better way than ever before to the requirements of those on board.

Automated driving at level 4

We are well used to automated driving in rail transportation and aviation. Now it enters the realm of on-road driving, with cars like the concept Audi AI:ME designed for use in the city and for driving at what is known as level 4.

This is the second-highest level on a standardised international scale for increasing automation. Although systems with level 4 do not require any assistance on the part of the driver, their function is limited to a specific area—such as motorways or a specially equipped area in inner cities. In these places, the driver can completely transfer the task of driving to the system. The driver needs to resume the task only when the car leaves the area defined for fully automated driving.

A face in the crowd

The Audi AI:ME is immediately recognisable even in the rear-view mirror: Its face is characterised by the hexagonal Single-frame with the inverted shape and surface typical for an electric Audi. The architecture of the body is a newcomer to the pool of Audi shapes.

The Audi AI:ME is a targeted alternative design. More than just a hint of a wedge shape, the accentuated and drawn out wheel wells that are typical for the brand and the striking window graphics create a highly emotional overall shape. The large side doors that open in opposite directions and are fastened at the front and back also facilitate getting into the vehicle. Large 23-inch wheels emphasise this appearance.