Link: https://www.thedrive.com/news/32444/the-renault-morphoz-concept-is-an-suv-that-stretches-on-demand
The Morphoz can operate in one of two modes: City or Travel. In City mode, the Renault’s wheelbase shortens and a smaller battery powers the vehicle. Travel mode stretches the wheelbase, pushes the hood forward to the point of the A-pillar, and the rear slides back to allow more luggage space. Renault’s plan is that, for longer trips, owners will drive the Morphoz over a charging station that is recessed into the ground, which will automatically install an additional 50kWh battery pack. The total range after that shapeshifting is said to reach upward of 435 miles.
The car responds to its driver’s greeting and appears to stretch with a wave of the person’s hand. The interior, though finished in an extremely loud color, looks relatively familiar. There’s a (very odd-looking) steering wheel with four somewhat conventional seats inside, though the front seats can swivel around when the Morphoz is set to Share mode.
The CMF-EV platform that rides under the Morphoz came from the Renault-Nissan Alliance and should form the basis of Nissan’s future EVs and concepts.
Analysis
While this technology is fascinating and quite futuristic, the thing I take the most from this is how this type of technolgy could be implemented in other parts of a vehicle. For example, if this technolgy could be used to extend the trunk of a vehicle or certain parts of the car extend to give you extra space, this could quickly become an opportunity to redesign future cargo spaces in vehicles.
Source
Teague, Chris. “The Renault Morphoz Concept Is an SUV That Stretches on Demand.” The Drive, 3 Mar. 2020, https://www.thedrive.com/news/32444/the-renault-morphoz-concept-is-an-suv-that-stretches-on-demand.
