Rinspeed Σtos (Photo : Facebook)
Swiss automaker Rinspeed will launch the first vehicle outside its home country at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016 in Las Vegas from Jan. 6-9, 2016. Its Ʃtos concept sports car is a hybrid self-driving automobile with a retractable steering wheel, smart infotainment system, and drone autopilot capable of artificial intelligence (AI) learning.
Rinspeed Ʃtos includes Harman Connected Car tech. The infotainment system is friendly and intuitive, functioning as a "personal assistant" like Microsoft's Siri, according to Tech Insider.
When the sports car is in autonomous mode its steering wheel can fold up and totally retract into the dashboard, according to CarScoops. Then two curved widescreens move towards the passengers to produce a better view.
One of the most unique features of the Ʃtos hybrid driverless car is a drone with its own landing pad on the rear of the automobile. Rinspeed explained that the flying gadget could pick up or deliver a bouquet of flowers, or video stream a "wild ride."
Ʃtos is the 22nd concept car built by Rinspeed. However, it is the first one that the Swiss automaker has unveiled outside its "innovation lab."
Rinspeed CEO Frank Rinderknecht predicted that the biggest auto engineering innovations in the future will come from the digital world. That is why major auto manufacturers and suppliers will be at CES 2016.
The Swiss company specializes in restoring classic cars and modifying modern autos, including Porsches and Subarus. Since 1991 it has also yearly designed special and exotic vehicles for the Geneva Motor Show. Rinspeed was founded in 1979.
