Rinspeed microSNAP Is The EV Pod With A Thousand Faces

BY Brad Anderson | Posted on

Rinspeed’s cute microSNAP concept will celebrate its European premiere at the Geneva Motor Show next week and, no matter how outlandish it might look, it could actually make it into production!

The microSNAP concept was first unveiled late last year as a smaller version of the previous SNAP concept.

Rinspeed says the microSNAP concept has roughly the same dimensions as a Renault Twizy. While the microSNAP may look like a nice, but out-there concept, the company claims to be in talks with a startup and investors to bring it to the road.

Underpinning the concept is a skateboard-style chassis. While this kind of platform isn’t new, what makes the microSNAP unique is that the vehicle’s body can be easily separated from the chassis, allowing the company to easily alter the function of the vehicle. For example, it could be turned from a passenger vehicle into a small delivery pod or a food station. Additionally, having the ability to swap out the body will ensure that interior functions remain up-to-date even as the chassis is still the same.

During the Geneva Motor Show, Rinspeed will demonstrate the automated robot station that joins and separates the chassis and bodies.

Rinspeed partnered with ankerpunkOsram and Swiss company 4erC to equip the microSNAP with modern lighting technologies, including micro-pixel LED headlights and a digital license plate. Lights have been installed throughout; they can adapt to the driver’s mood or work alongside health-tracking functions.

Powering the microSNAP concept is a 48-volt electric motor from Mahle. The vehicle also features tires from Hanook and includes support for 5G connectivity thanks to the Harman Ignite Cloud platform. It also supports over-the-air updates, multi-stage authentication with an iris scanner and instantly adjusts the interior to the personal preferences of its occupants. A 49-inch LED screen that spans the entire width of the vehicle has also been fitted, and the vehicle has also been equipped with the sensors required for full autonomy.

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