A France-based tech conglomerate called Software Republique has attended this year’s Viva Tech expo in Paris with a concept car dubbed ‘H1st Vision’, essentially an alternate take on Renault’s Scenic Vision concept.
The crossover SUV is still 4.5 meters (14.76 feet) long and looks virtually unchanged from the original – even the Renault badge remains. However, the team behind the project claims that the tech is almost all new. This concerns the powertrain, among other things, which is now battery-electric and no longer relies on hydrogen fuel cells for power.
A virtual assistant named Softy can be projected onto a variety of interior surfaces and converse with all passengers. The key fob is gone completely – the car uses cameras to recognize faces, and that’s it. Last but hardly least, special sensors built into the steering wheel and the safety belts can monitor the emotional state of the driver and passengers, detecting anxiety or aggression. Should a ‘detrimental’ condition be diagnosed, the car will use every means at its disposal to calm down the occupant(s).
As one would expect, there is no detailed technological explanation of these features at this point. As a pure tech demo, the car may never make it into production.