Volkswagen MUTE (MUT. E) is the project that won first place in the Michelin Design Challenge 2020. A frontier vision for versatile mobility in the smart cities of the remote future.
Yes, remote. Even if the project is ideally placed in 2035. Even if it is believed (rightly I believe) that the new generations of people between the ages of 20 and 30 will have a more aware vision of the impact of pollution on human health. Because Volkswagen MUTE, this vehicle which aims to provide alternative and sustainable mobility, seems truly born from science fiction, unlike what was conceived, for example, for ID 3.
How MUTE was born
The challenge was to recreate a mobility network for the smart city where transport could also be reused as urban furniture.
Inspired by the octopus' approach, its locomotion and survival mechanisms, Volkswagen MUT. And it offers solutions to reduce traffic congestion in the future.
Analyzing the arms and qualities of octopuses, the author of the project Dayvid Almeida he grasped its flexibility and suction power that allows it to grasp objects and move through the water. These main features were the main core of Volkswagen MUTE.
What is the usage model?
The user can simply order Volkswagen MUT. And via smartphone or smart devices. Upon command, this vehicle starts and leaves its area to meet the user. The flexible membrane of MUT. And it allows it to unroll, turning into a wheel. As soon as it approaches the user, it expands the modular seat, ready to welcome them.
The project also includes other declinations: different modules can be combined to meet user needs. Even the fusion of multiple modules can create a completely customized urban architecture in different locations of the city.
In short, a future of self-propelled and automatic vehicles, which when not taking you around remain comfortably lying down to make benches or shelters in city squares.
