2nd October 2000
 CITROËN OSMOSE: DOESN'T JUST
PICK UP HITCH HIKERS - IT HUNTS THEM DOWN!
Citroën's newest experimental car, the
Osmose, is designed to make urban transport more efficient by not
just offering rides to pedestrians, it even hunts them down and offers them a
ride, all while being a zero emissions car.
 The interior of the Osmose is split into two compartments, one for
the owner of the Osmose and another at the rear for the hitch-hikers. When the
Osmose sets off on its journey, its destination and route are displayed on the
side of the car, using a GPS navigation system. If a pedestrian wants to hitch
a lift, they press a button on the side of the car that initiates a
conversation with the driver and if they agree on offering and accepting a
ride, then the rear of the Osmose opens to offer a seat.
But the Citroën Osmose goes even further.
Using GSM and WAP technology, people needling a lift can use their mobile phone
to match their journey with those of Osmose cars on the road. At the same time
the Osmose, when a route is entered in its navigation system, searches for
people travelling the same way and offers them a lift. The communications
system then places the driver and hitch hiker in contact with each
other.
 The aim of all the technology is to reduce urban congestion by
making sure that every vehicle is used to its maximum capacity. To ensure
safety and security, driver and his passengers are always kept separate from
hitch hikers and those people taking up the offer of a lift have their own
separate communications system.
And the Osmose even looks after pedestrians if
their are too keen to get close the Citroën experimental car: It has front
and rear exterior airbags to protect pedestrians in the event of a
car/pedestrian accident.
For further information
please
e-Mail Miles Williams - General Manager on
100250.3324@compuserve.com
or use our Talk-to-Us button...
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