Ultra-niche Swiss car maker, Rinspeed, has unveiled something we may not have expected to see until a few years down the road: a hybrid self-driving sports car that comes equipped with its own autopilot drone.
Expected to be presented at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2016, the Etos is the company’s first concept car to be debuted outside of Switzerland. The car boasts the ability to drive itself and record the journey above via an accompanied drone.
As the 22nd concept vehicle to emerge from Rinspeed's 'Innovation Lab,' the Etos features an autopilot function that is adaptive, intuitive, and capable of learning, according to the company. During autopilot mode, the steering wheel folds into the dashboard and two curved widescreens move closer to the occupants to entertain them during the journey.
Etos uses Harman Connected Car technologies, which are said to function as a personal assistant and behave in an anticipatory manner. The supplementary drone has its own landing pad on the rear of the vehicle, and has the capability of picking up and delivering packages, taking videos of the car trip, and live streaming – all while driving.
While Rinspeed has yet to reveal what type of hybrid engine powers the sports car, the Etos is expected to attract plenty of attention at the electronics trade show with its futuristic design.
Attendees at the CES are encouraged to touch the Etos, for it incorporates 'special innovative surface finishes that are still completely alien to car designers,' the company said.
The full package is expected to be released in just three months.
Via Motoring
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