"The driver and not the technology should be the focal point of a car," observes the head ofRinspeed, Frank M. Rinderknecht (49), summing up the fundamental idea behind his latestconcept car offering: the "Senso". Due to be presented jointly by the famous Swissautomotive design and solutions specialist, Rinspeed, and Bayer MaterialScience, one ofthe world's largest plastics producers, at the Geneva Motor Show from March 3-13, 2005,the innovative "Senso" was developed in cooperation with the experienced engineeringspecialist, Esoro. Johannes Seesing (51), who specializes in automotive applications atBayer, says: "Together with our partners in the automotive industry, we are already carryingout research on the car of tomorrow. The "Senso" is an outstanding example ofunconventional ideas and applied lateral thinking."
The "Senso", which runs on environmentally friendly natural gas, has, not without reason,been labeled the most sensuous car in the world. The "Senso" actually "senses" the driverby measuring his (or her) biometric data, and then exerts a positive effect on him with thehelp of patterns, colors, music and fragrances. A person who is relaxed and wide-awakesimply drives better and more safely.
The whole project is based on an elaborate sensory system that forms the heart of thevehicle. It consists of a number of sensors that have the job of gathering data about thedriver's condition. Firstly, there is a biometric Polar watch to measure the driver's pulse. A"Mobile Eye" camera records his driving behavior, in other words how well and how oftenhe changes lane, and how close and at what speed he approaches the cars in front. Then -this, at any rate, is the vision - a HP board computer evaluates the data and establishes,with the aid of special algorithms, the driver's current state of mind.
The developers of the concept car speak, not surprisingly, of "Zen-sorial" – with referenceto Far Eastern meditation. On the basis of the measured data, the driver now receivesvarious impulses to his senses that put him in a state of relaxed attentiveness. The idea of'communicating surfaces' stems from Andreas Fischer, a designer who developed the"zenMotion concept" at the Institute for Computer Sciences at the University of Zurich inclose cooperation with the Institute for Psychology at the University of Innsbruck. Theinspiration for the development came from studies by scientists dealing with the emotionaleffect of moving patterns on people. In the "Senso" – depending on the condition of thedriver - four small Sharp LCD monitors emit stimulating (orange/yellow), relaxing(blue/violet) or neutral (green) color patterns into the driver's line of vision. They areintegrated into the futuristically designed interior paneling, which lights up over the entirearea and bathes the cockpit in dazzle-free ambient light.
It is all made possible by an innovative electroluminescent film technology developed byBayer MaterialScience and the Swiss electronics specialist, Lumitec. This "smart surfacetechnology" is celebrating its world premiere in the automotive industry. Johannes Seesing:"In the "Senso", we are showing what breathtaking possibilities this new technology canopen up for car designers. The glowing material can be made into any shape and does notneed electric bulbs or LEDs." The high-tech surface is computer-controlled and, dependingon the applied voltage, shines green, blue or orange.
The optical stimuli are reinforced by especially composed sounds stored digitally on acomputer. In addition to the eyes and ears, the nose is stimulated, too – by scentsdeveloped by the fragrances specialist, Voitino CWS, which flow into the car through theventilators. Vanilla-mandarin has a calming effect, while citrus-grapefruit is morestimulating. Even the tactile senses are included: should the central computer establish anysymptoms of tiredness in the driver, electric motors integrated in the seat will shake himawake by vibrating.
Rinspeed "Senso" - Polarizing opinions
But the "Senso" not only has inner values. It would, after all, not be a Rinspeed if it did nothave a radical - perhaps even controversial – design, too. In particular, the clear-cut, nononsensedesign of the interior puts the driver very much in the spotlight. The driver sitsalone in the middle of the front row, flanked behind by two Recaro passenger seatscovered with Italian designer fabrics from Xmobil. On the subject of design, the use ofcarbon parts in both the interior and the exterior gives the overall car a cool, technical look.The carbon components were custom-made by hand at MP Design.
The exterior shape of the vehicle borrows from the world of architecture, structures manhas created over the centuries. As such, it creates a tension-filled dynamic between movingand non-moving objects. The two-part structure of the rear end is reminiscent of bold roofconstructions and deep chasms between ranks of skyscrapers. The interplay betweensmooth curves and sharp edges evokes attractive industrial architecture.
To produce these contours, the makers have used a number of high-tech materials such asthe fully recyclable composite for the bodywork. The striking Speedster windscreen is madeof high-grade Makrolon® polycarbonate - like the rear end, which is reminiscent of themodern facade of a high-rise building. The window has a scratchproof coating and weighslittle more than half as much as a conventional car windscreen. It is also considerably morebreak-resistant, and opens up entirely new possibilities for car designers.
A breathtaking body such as this naturally needs to be clad in extravagant accessories thatare not simply available off the peg: The eggshell matt special effect finish on the "Senso",which was produced using coating raw materials developed in Bayer's laboratories, is trulycustom-made and only available this once for the Rinspeed "Senso". A soft-feel clear coatof the same shade in the interior additionally provides a pleasant, soft-feel surface.
Clean performance - the power plant
The 1385 kg lightweight "Senso" is powered by a 3.2-liter boxer engine from the PorscheBoxster S, modified for its service in the "Senso" to run on gasoline and natural gas. As aresult, emissions of harmful CO2 are reduced by as much as 30 percent. This is becausenatural gas is an extremely clean burning fuel, consisting almost entirely of methane withvirtually no sulfur. The engine produces 250 bhp/184 kW at 6,200 rpm and has a maximumtorque of 300 Nm at 4’600 rpm. A manual six-speed transmission transfers the power to therear axle. The "Senso" accelerates from 0-100 kph in 5.9 seconds and has a top speed of250 kph.
Optimum traction is provided by Continental SportContact 2 tires: 235/35 ZR 19 at thefront and 255/35 ZR 19 at the rear. They are mounted on 8.5x19" Barracuda rims at thefront and 9.5x19" at the rear.
The futuristic body sits on a chassis specially developed by KW automotive. It can beadjusted in terms of both height and hardness. The chassis engineers have succeeded inperforming the rare feat of attaining a perfect symbiosis between drive comfort and sportyhandling.
The innovative lighting technology in the "Senso" was developed by the lighting specialistin.pro. The eight light units awaken associations with scenes from "Star Wars" - CaptainKirk would certainly have enjoyed it, too. The intelligent in.pro.Sat system sendsautomatically an emergency call via the GSM network in case of an accident, robbery ortheft.
An optional FBI Bio Drive by Genesis Technology with integrated finger print recognitionstores all personal data of the driver and allows an individual adjustment when starting thevehicle.
Source: Rinspeed Press Release
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