Unique self-driving car registered in Vietnam: No driver needed, the door opens like a bird

There seem to be two main trends in the automotive industry in Vietnam in the future, electric vehicles and self-driving cars. Currently, VinFast is actively developing intelligent self-driving technologies applied to its electric vehicles, typically the VF 8 and VF 9 that are about to be handed over to customers.

Notably, a self-driving car line that has just been registered for industrial design protection in Vietnam is more special when it has no driver and is not used to carry people. This is a driverless self-driving car used to carry goods developed by an American company called Nuro.

Nuro was formerly a tech startup founded by two former Google engineers. Unlike other self-driving car companies, Nuro aims to be an autonomous, driverless delivery vehicle. This technology has been tested for the first time since 2017, and has been verified by US authorities. From the end of 2020, Nuro has been allowed to operate freight.

The car model registered in Vietnam is similar to the 3rd generation (latest generation). This model was just launched earlier this year.

The car has a rather special design with 2 opening doors in the form of bird wings arranged on the same side. The vehicle has no driver, so all the interior compartments are used to carry goods. According to the manufacturer’s announcement, the car can carry more than 220 kg. The vehicle’s system allows cooling to minus 6 degrees Celsius or heating up to 47 degrees Celsius. Customers receiving goods will operate on the touch screen located in the middle of the two doors.

The special feature of this latest generation car is that there are airbags, but on the outside of the car. When the vehicle encounters a collision situation or realizes an imminent collision, the airbag will deploy to help reduce the impact force.

The vehicle uses an electric motor. Nuro said this 3rd generation uses completely alternative electric energy sources from wind farms in Texas (USA) to reduce the appearance of carbon. Vehicle battery materials are also environmentally friendly. This engine allows the car to reach speeds of up to 72 km / h.

As a self-driving car, the 3rd generation Nuro has sensors that can scan 360 degrees of the surrounding environment, ensuring the safest operation. The sensor system is located on the roof of the car, which is the raised part.

Currently, partially self-driving cars are available in Vietnam. This technology is available on Volvo or Tesla models. VinFast is also researching to perfect its self-driving technology. However, self-driving cars without drivers is still a strange concept. Self-driving cars for transporting goods are even stranger in Vietnam.

Nuro’s registration of design protection does not mean that the American automaker will bring this model to Vietnam. However, it can be hoped that in the future these cars will roll on the streets of the country to “ship” goods automatically.