The French car company Renault unveiled the EZ-Ultimo at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. The Ultimo completes the trio of autonomous vehicles that give a glimpse at the company’s vision of the future.
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The other vehicles in the EZ family are the EZ-Go and EZ-Pro. The EZ-Go is a 6 seater ride-sharing vehicle released in March at the Geneva Road Show. The EZ-Pro, on the other hand, focuses on last-mile deliveries. It could also be used for catering and other businesses.
The EZ Ultimo is a self-driving limo that is designed for short journeys. It can be used by high-end brands and private individuals to transport clients from one point to another, like from an airport to a hotel. It can also be used as an app-controlled ride-hailing vehicle, like with Uber and Ola. The 5.8-meter-long mobile lounge is designed for a “premium travel experience”.
” Inspired by contemporary architecture, and completely integrated into future smart cities, EZ-ULTIMO will provide an exclusive experience for all,” said Renault’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Design, Laurens van den Acker. “With autonomous, electric, and connected cars, we are entering a new exciting era in automotive design.”
The Ultimo is low, with large wheels and headlights blended into its bodywork, from the fender to the bottom. Its roof is made of segmented glass panels while its sides have a lattice structure. The windows are blacked out, making it possible for users to look out while maintaining privacy. The vehicle has sliding doors, which allows people to easily enter and exit. Also, it is equipped with a level ‘4’ autonomous driving technology. It possesses features like autonomous driving cameras, radar and LiDAR cameras, and sensors on the corners of the car.
The Ultimo’s luxury truly shows in its interiors, through the use of materials like wood, marble, and leather. The car can accommodate up to three people. It has a swiveling arm-chair seat that faces backward, as well as a bench-like seat facing the opposite side. It also has interior lights with dimmer switches, wifi, and wireless charging pads for smartphones. The user can access these services using iPad-style tablets.
“As consumer trends change and people are enjoying ride-hailing services more and more, a new paradigm for mobility will emerge. Embodying this revolution, Renault EZ-ULTIMO offers a uniquely luxurious experience aboard a robo-vehicle that can be adapted depending on the service provider,” said van den Acker.
The EZ Ultimo is connected to infrastructures so that it can adapt to the urban environments, highways, and shuttle services on the roads it traverses along. It also features the Augmented Editorial Experience (AEX) which curates editorial content based on the user’s preferences.
By the end of the year, users can experience the car, as a part of a trial, but with a driver, as a safety measure. Renault is aiming to offer this technology via its models in 2022.
All Images Courtesy Of Renault and Stefan Baldauf | Guido ten Brink for Carscoops
