Pollution sucks
A new EV that will also hoover up other vehicles emisions
London-based Heatherwick Studio has unveiled its concept for the Airo electric car.
As well as producing zero emissions, it can also “vacuum up pollutants from other cars”.
The prototype, revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show, has been produced for newly formed Chinese car brand IM Motors. The designers are Heatherwick Studio in London, this their first car.
Named Airo, the electric car will be fitted with a HEPA – high-efficiency particulate air. This filtering system that will actively clean up pollution. The car will also have both autonomous and driver-controlled modes.
The car’s design gives it a flexible interior with rotating seats. This means it can be reconfigured into a “multi-functional room” for travel, meeting, leisure, even sleeping.
With the seats facing each other, a four-leaf table unfolds to create a dining space. There is also a screen which extends to allow for the watching of films or playing of games.
In this mode, the glass roof can turn opaque using the “latest technology”, creating a private space.
“Designed to simultaneously address the global space shortage, Airo is also a multi-functional room with extra space for dining, working, gaming or even sleeping,” said Heatherwick.
“As a new room for our lives, with a changing view, Airo is a car intended to transport us to a cleaner and better future.”
Alongside the car, Heatherwick Studio has also designed a charging station that it describes as “oozing with character”.
These curved charging stations, built from weathered steel, will include a retractable wire for charging.
The car could go into production in 2023.
