Cadillac shows InnerSpace concept at 2022 CES
Cadillac’s InnerSpace concept is a super streamlined autonomous vehicle in which to kick back and watch Netflix
The latest concept from Cadillac, called InnerSpace, has been unveiled at the 2022 consumer electronics show CES.
A dramatic two-passenger autonomous vehicle, the InnerSpace concept is characterised by a streamlined and stretched body with a large, flat greenhouse. Uninterupted lines sweep down the side of the vehicle, with the roofline accented by an ultra-slim LED strip. There is very little overhang at the front, while the rear pushes out almost like the shape of a boat.
The face is dominated by a large glossy black mask with a simple lighting graphic consisting of many small, dashed lines, as well as two vertical LED strips to mark air intakes and the illuminated Cadillac logo at the centre. The curved rear is distinct due to the sloping roof meeting the lid, which sits at the same level as the belt lines to ensure cohesion.
A scale-like hexagonal graphic on the rear panel of the roof is, like the general shape of the InnerSpace, reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept. The front section of the greenhouse can lift up from the cowl, providing comfortable entry and egress. This is further aided with the pivoting seats, which appear as a single bench when in drive mode but can rotate apart when the doors are opened.
An enormous screen follows the curvature of the IP and nearly covers the entire windshield. This, supposedly, is transparent when the vehicle is in motion, though there is no steering wheel, pedals, or control device visible that suggests a driver can take over if needed. There are no buttons either – everything is minimal in a bid to create an almost cinema-like environment.
Colours are kept neutral and calming. The lower half of the bench seat is cladded in speckled fabric, light brown and grey, while the upper area features a white leather-like material with a section of padded hexagonal shapes. The hexagon is featured again behind the seats in a glossy surface that can be backlit, with the headrest floating in the middle.
Most details on the materials and technology used for the concept have not yet been divulged, but Cadillac does point to a new Goodyear tyre that has been specially made for electric vehicles. The design reduces soundwave resonance for a quieter ride, and in a bid to make them more sustainable, soybean oil along with rice husk-based silica replaces petroleum-based oil in their construction.
The sleek InnerSpace concept is the third model in Cadillac’s Halo Concept Portfolio – a collection of autonomous and connected transport vehicles for “the next decade and beyond”. The Socialspace and PersonalSpace concepts – a roomy autonomous pod with space for six passengers, and a single-seat aircraft designed for urban mobility – were both shown at 2021 CES. Another concept, called OpenSpace, will soon follow.
