We've known for a long time that Jaguar Land Rover was working on advanced autonomous technology having tested a self-driving Range Rover Sport on the public road a couple of years ago, but we weren't expecting this. Jaguar Land Rover has surprised the auto industry with a futuristic pod-style concept that looks unlike anything the automaker has ever produced. Called Project Vector, the concept represents Jaguar Land Rover's vision of an autonomous electric city car.
Measuring just 13 feet long, Project Vector uses a skateboard chassis and packages all its battery and drivetrain components into a flat floor, while the revolutionary interior allows the seating to be configured for private use or ride-sharing. The cabin can also be adapted for commercial uses such as last-mile deliveries.
"Jaguar Land Rover understands the trends shaping modern societies. Project Vector shows Jaguar Land Rover as a leader in innovation to make our societies safer and healthier, and the environment cleaner," said Prof Sir Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover CEO. "Through this project, we are collaborating with the brightest minds in academia, supply chain and digital services, to create connected, integrated mobility systems - the fundamental building blocks for Destination Zero."
Jaguar Land Rover says the Project Vector concept has been "created with the mission to raise the quality of future urban living." It was developed at the National Automotive Innovation Centre as a separate project outside of Jaguar Land Rover's production car range, which allowed Jaguar Land Rover to collaborate with academic and external partners.
Jaguar Land Rover will also use Project Vector to show how customers will connect with mobility services and the infrastructure required to fully integrate autonomous cars into cities.
Project Vector was developed as part of Jaguar's Destination Zero mission to make societies safer and healthier while also making the environment cleaner with zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion. Looking ahead, Jaguar Land Rover plans to collaborate with Coventry City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority in the UK to trial an on-road mobility service with Project Vector in late 2021.