MATRЁSHKA - modular unmanned commercial vehicles

Just recently , the concept of modular electric transport was presented by the Russian company Volgabus , which is engaged in the production of buses. To be more precise, the development is a subsidiary of BMG (Bakulin Motors Group) created by the owner of Volgabus Alexey Bakulin. But despite the status of "concept", the development of the project is in full swing and tests are already underway on the territory of Skolkovo.
Let's explore this concept together.


The modular concept offers us three options for its use:
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But the passenger should go first to the series, apparently as the most theoretically claimed.
The transport consists of three modules, the extreme ones contain all the stuffing, from batteries with electric motors to autopilot, yes, yes, you read everything right, everything is in the trend of this season. The central module performs only a cargo function.



This layout allows you to replace the modules in a very short time, for example, to replace the module with dead batteries and to send the transport as soon as possible to the next route.

Autopilot suggests the possibility of round-the-clock use, as well as safety and autonomy. At the same time, dispatch centers will be created to monitor the movement of vehicles, the health of its work, as well as communication with passengers.



Specifications:

• Electric engine, power 45 kW (140 Nm) up to 7000 rpm.
• 32 kWh battery (LIFEPO4)
• Mileage at full charge up to 130 km
• Speed ​​limited to 30 km / h
• Load capacity 1300 kg
• Total weight with a superstructure of 2800 kg
• Length 4.6 m, width 1.7 m, height - 2.5 m (passenger version)

Production promise to establish in the Vladimir region in the autumn of 2017.
There will also be applications for iOS and Android to get the necessary information about routes and tracking the location of transport. (About WP / WM, of course, they haven’t heard here ...)
Chassis transport all-wheel drive, electric. The management is responsible for the operating system ROS (Roboti Operation Systems), as long as there is no more detailed information, as for example about the work and the device of the autopilot, while it is stated that 80% of the vehicle components are produced in Russia.

Here is an unexpected project from a domestic company.
But if he is interested in the topic of autopilots and public transport, he will feel that he has seen it already in the Simpsons, that something familiar in this project will be right!



Not so long ago, Local Motors presented its own project of autonomous transport, which is very similar to the concept described in this article. Yes, it is not modular, but otherwise it is very similar - compact size, layout of seats, electric, autopilot. As well as Musk said that the Tesla company began to develop its own bus , which is similar to the description of these projects.
Apparently this is a new trend and turn in the development of public transport.

I think the name MATRSHKA also caused a number of associations for readers, for example with E-mobile or Marussia. Both startups had a loud start and an inglorious end, I hope this project will not suffer the same fate, because after all the company behind the project is a company with a long history and experience, and not showmen and oligarchs.