General Motors EN-V (Electric Networked-Vehicle) is a 2-seat urban electric concept car jointly developed by Segway Inc. and General Motors that can be driven normally or operated autonomously.[1]
Designed for urban environments and around an extrapolation of the P.U.M.A. prototype announced by GM and Segway in 2009,[2] the EN-V was unveiled at the joint GM & SAIC pavilion at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai from 1 May through 31 October 2010.[2] Three different vehicles are showcased, 笑 Xiao (Laugh), 骄 Jiao (Pride) and 妙 Miao (Magic).[3]
In October 2011 General Motors announced its decision to develop a second concept EN-V under the Chevrolet badge for use in field testing and demonstration programs, beginning in Tianjin, China.[4] In June 2014 General Motors announced it would commence testing of the four wheel EN-V 2.0 at the Tianjin Eco-city[5]
The most significant feature of the vehicles is autonomous operation.[6] [1] The EN-V can detect and avoid obstacles – including other vehicles – park themselves and come to you when called by phone.[6]
Accomplished through a combination of GPS, vehicle-based sensors, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication, this autonomous technology is an extrapolation of that found in GM's 2007 autonomous "The Boss" Chevrolet Tahoe created for the DARPA Grand Challenge (2007).[2] [3]
The EN-Vs can communicate with each other allowing platooning, with one or more EN-Vs tagging along automatically behind a leader. Also, if an EN-V detects another in close proximity, it can check what that other is intending to do and agree on how to pass it safely.[6]
Powered by two electric motors, one on each wheel, and a lithium-ion phosphate battery, the EN-V has a top speed of and a maximum all-electric range of .[6] The sensors and communications equipment which allow it to drive itself include short-range radio and GPS, as well as optical sensors, ultrasonic sensors and doppler radars.[7] The two-wheeled balancing system the EN-V uses was developed by Segway,[6] [1] and it may be an extrapolation of that found in the P.U.M.A. prototype announced by GM and Segway in 2009.[2]
The three vehicles shown use the same automobile platform but have unique exterior and interior designs.
Xiao, or laugh, was designed in Australia by the GM Holden Design Studio.[2] Its design is intended to appear friendly.[8]
Xiao Dimensions: 1,540 mm (L) × 1,420 mm (W) × 1,770 mm (H) (60.5 in × 56 in × 69.5 in)[7]
Miao, or magic, was designed at the General Motors Advanced Design Studio in California.[2] Miao's design is mysterious and high-tech.[8] It was also exhibited at the Walt Disney World ride Test Track as a Chevrolet
Miao Dimensions: 1,520 mm (L) × 1,405 mm (W) × 1,635 mm (H) (60 in × 55 in × 64.5 in)[7]
Jiao, or pride, was designed in Europe by Opel and takes design cues from bullet trains and Chinese opera masks.[2] Its design is supposed to be chic and stylish.[8]
Jiao Dimensions: 1,500 mm (L) × 1,425 mm (W) × 1,640 mm (H) (59 in × 56 in × 64.5 in)[7]
In October 2011 General Motors announced its decision to develop a second concept EN-V under the Chevrolet badge for use in field testing and demonstration programs in several cities around the world, beginning in Tianjin, China. The Chevrolet EN-V 2.0, as the vehicle is now called, will add new features such as climate control, personal storage space and all-weather and road condition operation while several key elements of the original EN-V will be preserved, such as the small footprint, maneuverability, its battery electric propulsion, connectivity, and autonomous driving capabilities.[4] The new vehicle design as revealed in 2014 has four wheels and has two doors (one of each side).[9] Testing at the Tianjin Eco-city was due to commence in July 2014.