This article was taken from the April 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
The EN-V is a zero-emission, autonomous car for our driverless urban future. First conceived as part of a collaboration between General Motors and the personal-transportation manufacturer Segway, the EN-V (short for Electric Networked Vehicle) is designed for environments dedicated to networked self-driving vehicles -- the cities of 2030, according to GM. The EN-V is packed with sensors and, in theory, is crashproof. It "platoons" with other cars in formation, removing any need for traffic lights, and can be parked at your command via a smartphone app.
For now, with only 20 working models off the assembly line, the EN-V remains a conceptual plaything under the Chevrolet brand. But future designs could be mass-produced as soon as 2021, destined for planned eco-cities such as Tianjin, China.
1. Networking
GPS and 5.9GHz wireless antennas provide the EN-V with real-time traffic data, also allowing for web access and communication with other vehicles.
2. Controls
A touchscreen on the steering column allows you to input journey plans. It acts like a regular steering wheel, and pads on its edges control acceleration.
3. Body
At 1.52m long and with a carbon-fibre, Lexan and acrylic body, the EN-V weighs just 400kg. A polycarbonate windscreen lifts outwards for entry.
4. Sensors
A camera in the nose and an ultrasonic sensor work together to spot obstacles. A Doppler sensor measures the EN-V's speed.
5. Drivetrain
The same dynamic stabilisation that keeps a Segway upright balances the EN-V - gyroscopes measure angular acceleration and apply corrective torque.
6. Motors
In-wheel direct-current motors drive each wheel independently, so the EN-V turns on the spot. Operation is direct-drive. Top speed:
40kph.
7. Battery
The EN-V is purely battery-powered. Its lithium-ion battery lasts 40km on one charge, and recharges on a household power outlet within six hours.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
