2012 VOSLKSWAGEN ET

For over 60 years now, business autos from Volkswagen have maintained a visual presence on the world's streets. They are helpers in on a regular basis life, which deliver us folks items, services, postal deliveries and infrequently emergency help as well. Volkswagen Group Analysis, which is chargeable for the world of tomorrow, together with the German Post Workplace ('Deutsche Post AG'), which is without doubt one of the largest prospects of lightweight business autos - in addition to the College of Artwork at Braunschweig - fashioned a think tank on future transport and mobility issues. Finally, these analysis actions led to a very new car idea for the supply and logistics discipline: Volkswagen eT! Concept.

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Director of Volkswagen Group Analysis: "We analyzed course of flows and buyer wants in detail, and from these analyses we derived ideas on how the section of supply and courier vehicles might be additional developed over the long term. In this context, we targeted on zero-emissions driving and out there space in urban areas, semi-automatic driving capabilities that supply related support and simplify work processes and the integration of latest communication technologies. On high of that, we additionally got down to design a really emotionally appealing business vehicle. To achieve these goals, our groups not only seemed in direction of the longer term from the past, but also labored from a future perspective to implement a complicated development idea based mostly on applied sciences obtainable today."The VW eT! analysis automobile might someday truly revolutionise the world of lightweight industrial vehicles. Completely reconceptualised, driven with zero emissions, thought by means of to the final detail and driving semi-robotically if mandatory! Just how huge-ranging the significance of this analysis project may very well be for sustainability in the transportation discipline is underscored by the support for the eT! challenge by the German Federal Ministry for the Atmosphere, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. "The eT! research vehicle," explains Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, spokesperson for the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Automobiles, "unifies an entire gamut of modern functions, which will acquire in future significance, specifically for logistics businesses. In particular, the possibility of driving the car semi-automatically - and electrically - in downtown areas unifies economical and environmental points more systematically than ever. As a imaginative and prescient of the future, the eT! is showcasing what is the maximum feasible technology for electrical autos within the business market in the present day with a special design that systematically addresses future customer needs."

"eT! is a pure electrically powered transporter that systematically transfers E-mobility to the realm of commercial use," says Dr. Rudolf Krebs, Group Supervisor for Electric Traction at Volkswagen AG. And continues: "As a transport specialist, the eT! is advancing to become the automotive constructing block for an modern, future-oriented logistics idea, which not only drives with zero emissions in city areas - thanks to its electrical wheel hub motors - but additionally presents most freedom in manoeuvering and turning as well as optimal utilisation of the automobile's inside space. If 'refuelled' with electrical energy generated from renewable vitality sources, the eT! can indeed be operated with zero emissions. Naturally, the eT! isn't a automobile which - not like the Golf or up! with an electrical motor - may develop into accessible very soon. However we must make plans at present for what the world of light-weight industrial autos might appear to be beginning in the second half of this decade, including with regard to electrical drives."

To make the working world of mail supply personnel and courier drivers simpler and safer, to optimise the logistics of supply and to shorten delivery times, Volkswagen eT! may be operated semi-mechanically in sure situations. The automobile can comply with the delivery individual from home to accommodate ("Follow me"), or the automotive can return to the supply particular person on command ("Come to me") - driverless! In its place, the driver can direct the automobile's movements through a 'drive stick' from the passenger's aspect that also affords a standing seat and quick access to the vehicle. On the passenger's aspect - the aspect that faces the sidewalk and due to this fact the working space of the supply person - there may be subsequently an electrically opening sliding door that opens to 2 completely different stages; this allows extremely quick entry into the vehicle in addition to quick access to the mail parcels. This makes pointless walking movements across the car a thing of the past.

Variants of this light-weight transport vehicle may very well be applied for all conceivable business uses. And these derived ideas are additionally the main focus of research activities. In the meantime, the Volkswagen eT! Concept shown in a world premiere at the Design Centre of Potsdam was specifically designed for supply of mail shipments of all types. The analysis car will now be built-in in a driving take a look at examine and additional a