The electric, autonomous Rinspeed Budii has featured at the Geneva Motor Show, the Shanghai Motor Show and CES Las Vegas. It is one of the world’s most technologically advanced prototype cars and has been designed to show just how the relationship between cars and humans could evolve.

“We are very privileged to have been entrusted with this incredible vehicle by its makers, the Swiss company Rinspeed. They have never displayed one of their concept cars in Australasia and it has been lent to us for just the two days of our centenary 28-30 April next year,” said MTA Chief Executive Craig Pomare. Each year, since the early 1980s, the Swiss powerhouse of automotive creativity brings together the top companies in technology, engineering and imagination to build possibility into a car. Many of the products, materials and technology that are used are still in the development phase. Each year, the latest Rinspeed then tours the major international car shows after making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Rinspeed prototypes have included a hydroplane, a ‘diving’ car, bi-fuel, electric and autonomous cars. The Budii can be driven manually, or used in autonomous mode. It also comes equipped with two electric personal transporters.

Rinspeed head Frank M. Rinderknecht says the Budii is designed to evolve. “In the future, cars will do just as we do: they will keep learning every day, and as a result will get better and better at mastering the complex challenges of modern-day private transport.”

To this end, Budii will take information from its surroundings, its own “experiences” and those of other vehicles along its route into consideration. The long-term result will be a cognitive and intuitive autopilot.

”Part of the autonomous equation is a roof-mounted telescoping laser scanner, which extends from the roof by almost a metre to supplement a high-resolution camera in mapping out the terrain and looking for obstacles. The system can also scan the road for imperfections and adjust the ride height and air suspension accordingly."

The Budii’s steer-by-wire system allows for an eye-catching steering column that either folds out of the way or doubles as a table during autonomous driving mode.

Its infotainment system learns the driver’s habits and preferences, while other tech goodies include wireless charging for smartphones and technology that allows the driver or passenger to remotely pay for parking and other external services.

The car comes with two electric mini vehicles and helmets which are the Rinspeed take on a Segway. The two-wheeled vehicles are housed behind the front seats and are used for the first or last leg of the journey.

The Budii has been developed around a BMWi 3 with the addition of some sporty alloy wheels and the latest in lighting, heating and sound technology.