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TEOREMA, Pininfarina First virtual concept car
Bullet-like Pininfarina concept car reshapes electric driving
By C.C. Weiss
The Pininfarina Teorema appears ready to fire out a barrel
Given the lack of auto shows, it's been a rather slow year for envelope-pushing concept cars. But Pininfarina makes up for lost time with the all-new Teorema, reshaping automotive exterior and interior packaging for a more comfortable all-electric self-driving future. The VR-crafted concept car fills out its unique pod-like body with a convertible interior that's nearly as comfortable as a camper.
Too often we've seen auto companies rave about the creative possibilities invited by electric and self-driving technologies, only to end up churning out the same boring vehicle shapes and styles we've had for decades. If an empty under-hood, flat floor and lack of driver controls really free you to create something different, why not create something different? Why not build something that brings interior comfort and/or aerodynamics to extreme levels previously unseen in the industry?
The Teorema stretches out like a full-size SUV but stands just over 4.5 feet tall at 55 inches / Pininfarina
That's the direction in which Pininfarina moves with the Teorema. The concept's smooth, rounded body looking more like the latest Hyperloop capsule than a traditional car. The exterior may draw the most attention, but it's the interior that lays the foundation for the entire concept. Starting with the key advantages of an all-electric platform — compact, decentralized powertrain and flat, open floor — Pininfarina designers in Cambiano and Shanghai worked to create a more home-like layout and ambiance inside before penning a body around it.
The Teorema experience begins just before entry, when a central panel in the glass canopy slides opens and the entire rear body shell swings up and forward, allowing occupants to walk aboard as if walking through the doorway of a house — much more natural than bobbing and weaving through a traditional car door and reminiscent of what Renault accomplished with the 2018 EZ-GO concept.
The Teorema ditches the side doors and features a rear walk-in entry / Pininfarina
Each occupant walks to his or her seat, guided along by the swirl of lights integrated into the floor. The generously spaced seats create a full walking aisle down the center of the battery-top floor, while the slide-open glass canopy panel allows passengers to walk naturally without ever having to duck down.
The Teorema interior features a unique three-row layout/ Pininfarina
At 212 inches (540 cm), the Teorema measures longer than a GMC Yukon, but Pininfarina avoids any temptation to stuff in seats and maximize occupancy, instead relying on a unique combination of single front seat and two rear rows each occupied by left and right seats. In addition to allowing for the aforementioned standing-height walk-in entry, the 1 + 2 + 2 layout leaves each occupant free to move around the vehicle or reposition.
The rear two rows of seats can combine and fold into two individual chaise lounges, providing an opportunity to kick back and relax or sit in a conference-style arrangement. When grabbing a nap, the Continental Smart glass tints around the rear cabin to enhance the restful atmosphere.
What the Teorema lacks in people-moving efficiency, it makes up for in roomy comfort / Pininfarina
Individual drive modes correlate to different interior configurations. In full Level 5 autonomous mode, for instance, the driver is able to swivel around 180 degrees and interact freely with everyone else on board. In drive mode, the driver faces forward and uses the dual-joystick control system to operate the car while rear passengers remain engaged via the canopy glass-integrated WayRay augmented reality system providing both basic trip info and point-of-interest details. Passengers can use structure-integrated controls to pull up more details or share information.
Augmented reality delivers both driving and POI info / Pininfarina
In addition to a projectile-like shape and dramatic Kamm tail, the Teorema includes full-body venting to cut drag and improve aero performance. The front fender ducts direct air around the tires while longer side channels let it flow along the flanks and out the rear just inward of the tail lamps.
The Teorema was created entirely via virtual reality, but we have to think the Pininfarina team is absolutely itching to run that sleek, ducted body through the wind tunnel, so maybe a more tangible version will show up down the line.
Source: Pininfarina
THE PROJECT
Enjoy the Journey
Pininfarina paves the way to the future through a futuristic and daring Virtual Concept Car, TEOREMA, completely developed by using VR technologies. An all-new interpretation of fully electric, autonomous mobility in the name of user experience and technology, studied to create a sense of community and foster interactions amongst passengers and the outdoor environment.
THE WAY
Shaping Design with the Language of Experience
Entering the TEOREMA is not much different than entering a living room. As the passenger walks in, the rear opens, the roof extends upwards and forward, and the floor lights up guiding passengers to their seats. The car interiors provide different experiences and moments including areas of privacy where passengers can isolate themselves to sleep or rest.
Autonomous Drive to Reinvent the Car Experience
TEOREMA can easily switch across different driving modes according to passengers’ preferences and different driving situations:
AUTONOMY MODE: the vehicle is completely autonomous so actually needs no driver. In this mode the driver faces the other four passengers, leaving enough distance between each other to give everyone the feeling of having their own private cocoon.
DRIVE MODE: in this mode there is a community feeling and everything that happens in the motion of the vehicle is shared. The different areas of the interiors become of the same color, providing a subconscious connection holding all the occupants to a shared experience.
REST MODE: when the car is in rest mode, the whole interior becomes a social space where people can move to any position they want. The internal environment and the smart seats automatically changes to allow people to socialize or lounge back.
THE IDEAA
New Paradigm in User Experience Enabled by Innovative Technologies
WayRay for True Augmented Reality
Crisp and vivid virtual images with unprecedented color depth are aligned with the real world and allow passengers to be informed about the relevant traffic information, the places of interest and curiosities. They appear behind the car’s windshield and side glasses. Passengers also have a possibility to interact with the information displayed in order to learn more or share it with other people onboard.
Continental Engineering Services for Smart Surfaces and Intelligent Glass
Continental’s competences on Smart Surfaces and Intelligent Glass provides TEOREMA with important features in terms of both user experience and safety. Pop-up buttons are hidden under the car’s interior surfaces and only emerge when the driver passes his hand over them. Each button has a slightly different shape, allowing the driver to easily recognize them without taking the eyes off the road. The use of Smart Glass in the rear part of the car allows passengers to enjoy their privacy and to regulate the light that enters from the outside, giving then the possibility, also thanks to the foldable flat seats, to create a comfortable cocoon in which to rest.
Poltrona Frau for Seats
The seats were designed together with Poltrona Frau to ensure maximum relaxation and to allow passengers to stretch out and dose off. The seats of TEOREMA are able to fold down flat, turning into a bench or a cot providing for the possibility either to face each other, in a moment of conviviality, or to lie down, during a more intimate time.
BENTELER for the Rolling Chassis
TEOREMA is based on a platform solution built on the BENTELER Electric Drive System (BEDS). This is a very efficient solution and an enabler for setting up new electric vehicles very fast, with reduced complexity and high quality, thanks to its scalable and modular design. With its low construction the Rolling Chassis allows the car to have space on its inside and still keep a relatively low height.
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