Rinspeed shows microSNAP modular transportation system

A robotic arm autonomously swaps the passenger modules onto the drive skateboards.

Rinspeed has continued to evolve its 'Snap' modular transportation system, revealing the microSNAP with the dimensions of a Renault Twizy.

Envisioned as a way to transport people or deliver goods, the system centers around pods that can be quickly attached or detached from a fully autonomous electric 'skateboard' chassis.

Rinspeed has teamed with Kuka Robotics to demonstrate a fully automated robotic system for attaching the pods to the skateboards.

If transporting people, the tiny microSNAP pods can carry just two passengers at a time. A 49-inch curved LED screen spans the entire width of the vehicle for visual interaction, while the small pod can be split into two separate acoustic zones if each passenger wants to listen to different music or entertainment programs.

The microSNAP system will be among many autonomous transportation technologies showcased at CES 2019.