The transportation world is undergoing a seismic shift.

From ride-sharing services to micro-mobility alternatives like electric scooters, the way we commute in urban landscapes is evolving in radical ways. But no two technologies will change how we get around quite like electric vehicles and automated driving systems*. And we are already right in the middle of this revolution.

In the first quarter of 2022, sales of EVs were up 75 percent year over year. Global sales are up four-fold from 2019 to 2021. And while vehicles with automated driving systems* may still seem like a distant reality, it is anticipated that 47 percent of new vehicles will have some level of hands-free driving capabilities by 2025. By 2030, it is projected that 75 percent of vehicles will have basic self-driving features or advanced innovations like autopilot for traffic jams and fully automated highway cruising. 

In short, the transition to EVs and the emergence of vehicles with automated driving systems* is underway, and Audi, a progressive premium brand, is already offering a preview of how the development of those technologies may redefine the next generation of vehicles. In 2022, Audi released three concept cars under the Audi sphere family: the Audi skysphere concept, the Audi grandsphere concept, and the Audi urbansphere concept. Together, the three concept cars demonstrate how vehicle design at Audi can be transformed from the ground up—and inside out— to give freedom for new experiences.

“For more than 100 years, we designed the vehicle from the outside moving inward,” says Marc Lichte, Head of Design at Audi. “Automated driving systems* are a new paradigm shift in that respect, and if the actual task of driving ceases to apply, new design possibilities arise. This technology changes everything.”

Designing for User Experience

Historically, vehicle design has been centered around the internal combustion engine and all its fuel delivery systems. But with electric powertrains and automated driving systems* freeing up and redefining space, the design of vehicles can be radically altered. Taking advantage of this new flexibility, Audi is focusing on the driver and passenger experience inside vehicles in new ways, designing the vehicle from the inside out.

The Audi sphere family demonstrates this shift dramatically. The “human centricity,” as Audi refers to it, allows the driver to become a user of the technology. Even the “sphere” in the name alludes to the emphasis placed on the interior space.

With automated driving systems*, a driver can become a passenger and the interior can turn into a multimedia center, thanks to high-resolution displays throughout the vehicle that can stream shows or other media while 3D sound emanates from the headrests. With the Audi urbansphere concept, the seats swivel, making it easy to get into and out of the vehicle and relax more comfortably on a long ride.

In the Audi grandsphere concept, the doors open as a driver approaches, and a preset playlist begins to play. The steering wheel and pedals can disappear while a large projection displays art or other entertainment, offering a space for relaxation. The concept cars also feature the Audi assistant that can order coffee for a passenger and automatically stop off at the barista so it can be picked up. Even parking and charging can be automated*, offloading the tasks to the vehicle.

All of these features demonstrate how the Audi concept cars adapt to the user, creating a space that is designed to be customized for whatever they need. For example, if a person is commuting to the office and they need to connect with a colleague over video conference, they can do so with the soundsystem, camera and microphoness.

Or they can use the screen to relax on the way to a weekend retreat with the family by unwinding with a favorite movie. The vehicle, in essence, becomes a multipurpose space that can be adapted for the situation. 

“The interior is becoming sort of a third living space,” Lichte says. “It is up to you whether you want to drive the car on your own or if you want to sit back and enjoy the view.”

Creating Customized Journeys

Of course, these technologies will also make the actual driving experience more exciting as well. 

Already, the next generation of the electric all-wheel drive vehicle by Audi, quattro, provides a glimpse into how electric powertrains can create a better road experience. With EVs, there’s no need for a driveshaft connecting the front and rear axles, a mechanical feature that transfers power and torque to the rear wheels—and also requires a significant amount of undercarriage space. Removing it creates more room in the internal spaces, but also allows the batteries to be placed in the floor of a BEV (battery electric vehicle), which in turn lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity. When that lower center of gravity is paired with the instant torque provided by electric motors, a more fun driving experience is created.

In the Audi skysphere concept, which is designed as a two-seater roadster, that update creates a classic driving experience. In “Sports” mode, the vehicle’s wheelbase shrinks nearly 10 inches, offering the driver a hands-on experience for hugging the curves. Or with the click of a button, the passenger can select “Grand Touring” mode, engaging the automated driving systems* as the steering wheel and pedals disappear to transform the vehicle into a mobiles lounge. This means that you can easily take the wheel when the road turns winding and fun in the mountains, then hand over the navigation to the automated driving systems* once you enter the city.

“Relaxing, enjoying the scenery, working—it is up to the passengers to decide how they want to spend their time during their journey,” says Lichte.

In the future, drivers will no longer have to keep their hands on the wheel at all times, opening up endless experiences—an inside-out revolution that is only beginning.

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This article has been produced by WIRED Brand Lab on behalf of Audi.

*The automated driving functions shown are technologies currently under development, and meant to represent only a possible concept.