With the “Snap,” presented at the CES in Las Vegas in early 2018, Swiss powerhouse of ideas Rinspeed for the first time presented a vehicle, where the chassis (“Skateboards“) and bodies (“Pods”) can be swapped out at any time.

“Think mighty micro!” is now the new Rinspeed motto at the CES 2019.

Company head Frank M. Rinderknecht has shrunk the “Snap” into the “microSNAP” with the dimensions of a Renault Twizy. And for the first time, Rinspeed demonstrates a fully automated robot station that joins and separates chassis and bodies autonomously. Experts refer to this step in car production where the chassis and the body come together as the mating of an automobile, except here it is not for good, but only for the time of the intended purpose.

As far as the Swiss automotive visionary is concerned, the days of large delivery vehicles that serve customers in sequence like pearls on a string over the course of the day are over. Because online business is booming and now includes the fresh food sector as well, the Swiss national believes in small autonomous vehicles that swarm out and bring their goods to the customer without detours and ‘just in time.’ It couldn’t be faster or more simple - even refrigerated or heated. However, his vision also includes two-seater ‘robo units‘, which take the shortest route to convey their passengers to their destination efficiently and in comfort. Rinderknecht is certain: “Customers increasingly want prompt deliveries and many passengers are unwilling to use shared taxis, which have to take time-consuming detours by design.”

A startup is now on the drawing boards and talks with investors are underway to put the “Snap” on the road. In fact, the response among automotive experts to the revolutionary “Snap” is tremendous and not without leaving its mark. Even one of the most renowned automakers was inspired by the Swiss and recently presented its own interpretation of the “Snap” systematics. And since imitation is generally considered the sincerest form of flattery, Rinderknecht takes it with a sense of humor and smiles: “Well now, who did invent it?”

Be it the “Snap” or the “microSNAP,” the basic idea is the same

While the bodies last as long as a car does today, the chassis contain all the components that are subject to wear and aging, such as the computer technology for autonomous driving. “Skateboards” (chassis) and “Pods” (bodies) are only temporary companions for brief periods. Various types of bodies use whatever skateboards are currently available. The skateboards are recycled after a few years, because they will have reached the end of their service life. They thus elegantly avoid an expensive and complicated hardware update.

The twenty-fifth concept car from Rinspeed

In keeping with an established tradition, the twenty-fifth concept car from Rinspeed was again designed at Swiss company 4erC and constructed at Esoro, which also handled the technical implementation. As always when Rinderknecht is at work, the electric vehicle is chock-full of technical and visual treats contributed by a network of renowned companies from around the world.

The robotics system and the automated loading aid system come from Kuka in Augsburg. Osram supplies the entire lighting technology including the digital license plate and a micro-pixel LED, which makes dazzle-free high beams possible. The exterior lights communicate with other road users. The interior lights adapt to the driver’s personal mood with the help of health-tracking functions. For the headlights of the “microSNAP,” Rinspeed relies on state-of-the-art LED technology as well as on the innovative product solutions from Prettl Lighting & Interior in Pfullingen. The propulsion of the “microSNAP” is provided by a 48-volt traction motor from the internationally leading development partner and supplier Mahle, whose integrated systems solutions are putting their stamp on the mobility of today and tomorrow across all types of powertrains.

Rinspeed attaches great importance to the wellness equipment of the interior

FoamPartner is the perfect address in this regard. The company contributes the expertise for acoustically and thermally efficient foams. For years, the allies have relied on Strähle+Hess with its experts for innovative textile products, and for good reason. The knitted fabric used in the vehicle was made from sustainable PES/alpaca natural yarns supplied by hi-tech cotton mill Schoeller. Dutch chemical company Stahl, the global leader for leather and various synthetic material surfaces in automotive interiors, contributes is surface finishing expertise. South Korean manufacturer Kolon Glotech adds highlights with its traditional Sanggam print for seats and trim panels.

The ‘ProActive Comfort’ intelligent seat solution

The occupants make themselves comfortable on naturally soft leather from automotive leather specialist Bader in Göppingen, Germany. Lear, a globally leading automotive technology company, developed the ‘ProActive Comfort’ intelligent seat solution, designed for comfort, wellness and adaptability to individual passenger needs; and ‘BioBridge’, a smart, non-intrusive, biosensing technology to detect stress and drowsiness, helping prevent driver distraction and promoting safety.

With Lenzing Automotive Interiors fibers in the 2019 “microSNAP" concept vehicle, the company is committed to the co-creation of an innovative future concept of transportation, which combines new ways to pursue sustainability efforts while offering new levels of comfort. Gentherm, the global market leader and developer of innovative thermal management technologies, created an innovative and efficient heating and cooling system for the passenger seating. This personalized system creates an intelligent climate zone for each occupant in the car to ensure perfect levels of passenger comfort.

The world premiere will take place in Las Vegas on January 7, 2019

The anniversary creation of Swiss automotive visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht will be on display in the Harman venue at the Hard Rock Hotel during the CES 2019. In spring 2019 - right on the doorstep of the powerhouse of ideas from near Zurich, so to speak - the “microSNAP” can then be admired at the Geneva Motor Show - professionally staged by Kern advertising agency and print shop based in Saarland.

The partners and suppliers in the realization of the „microSNAP“

4erC GmbH - www.4erc.ch

Bader GmbH & Co. KG - www.bader-leather.com

bamboo apps - https://auto.bambooapps.eu

Dekra - www.dekra.com

Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG - www.eberspaecher.com

Esoro AG - www.esoro.ch

Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft - www.de.ey.com/automotive

FoamPartner - www.foampartner.com

Gentex Corporation - www.gentex.com

Gentherm - www.gentherm.com

Harman International Industries, Inc. - www.harman.com

Harting Technology Group - www.harting.com

Hanseatische Fahrzeug Manufaktur GmbH - www.hfm-gmbh.de

Ibeo Automotive Systems GmbH - www.ibeo-as.com

joysteer / Bozzio AG - joysteer.ch

Kern GmbH - www.kerndruck.de

Kolon Glotech Inc. - www.kolonglotech.co.kr

Lear Corporation - www.lear.com

Lenzing Fibers GmbH - www.lenzing.com

Luxoft GmbH - www.luxoft.com

Mahle International GmbH - www.mahle.com

MHP - A Porsche Company - www.mhp.com

NXP Semiconductors - www.nxp.com/applications/solutions/automotive

Osram GmbH - www.osram.com

Prettl Lighting & Interior GmbH - www.prettl.com

SAP SE - www.sap.com

Schoeller spinning group - www.schoeller-wool.com

Stahl Holdings BV - www.stahl.com

Strähle+Hess GmbH - www.straehle-hess.de