While it looks like a model from the recent Blade Runner 2049 film, the Innotruck was a testbed for various emerging technologies. Back in 2012, it was introduced at the MobiliTec international trade fair at the Hannover Messe – one of the world’s largest trade fairs. It is held on the Hanover Fairground in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany.
This is a completely unique and (potentially) revolutionary design that incorporates the trailer as a combined component with the space age cockpit. The drive section rotates underneath the digital cockpit. While the look is futuristic, it has to be said, the nearly all-glass cockpit appears to have outstanding sight-lines.
Siemens states that the Innotruck has a modified diesel engine which serves as a range extender for the electric power system. The Innotruck was commissioned by Siemens. The cockpit slides forward for access, like a fighter jet. While it never went into production, the idea still has contemporary validity
“Innotruck is intended to serve as both a testbed and a demonstration vehicle for a number of emerging technologies. These include drive-by-wire operation, car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communications, and plug-and-play applications.
The electric vehicle also has displays and controls that can adapt to each driver’s capabilities, and to constantly-changing conditions such as traffic flow and driver alertness. This ensures that the driver will never be deluged with more information than they need for the task currently at hand, but will also automatically receive data as it is needed.” – – Siemens
While the design looks like a Syd Mead creation, it was designed buy famed Italian designer Luigi Colani. While specifics are hard to come by, the current location and condition of the Innotruck is unknown. Among several lofty plans, one was to turn it into a mobil recharging station for electric vehicles. It could also be a mobile power station for locations where emergency power is needed.
What do you think? If you have information about where the Innotruck is located, or what its become, please comment below!
