This is not the first time we hear about a car with its own drone, and I'm sure it won't be the last. The difference is that Rinspeed's new concept known as Σtos has a sporty design, uses hybrid technology, and is also autonomous. The drone lands on the rear of the car, and the autonomous function is optional, so a driver can take control whenever they want.
A car with its own drone
I imagine that the great Meteoro was the pioneer behind the idea, and although in real life it's still a bit complicated to process, we slowly begin to visualize some of its potential benefits. In essence, the drone could make use of the resources available in the car, starting with battery recharging, and the fact of functioning as a dedicated landing platform. Actually, the car in question doesn't need to be "special", but that wouldn't make it very interesting, to say the least...
Rinspeed's Σtos concept has several details in its favor, besides the dedicated drone and its rear converted into a helipad. First, it's a hybrid car, so it will undoubtedly have very attractive range once its specifications are known, and second, the Σtos offers an autonomous driving mode. When this mode is activated, the Σtos automatically folds and hides the steering wheel, leaving only a couple of screens on the dashboard. If we bring our attention back to the drone, we'll see that its design is on par with any other quadcopter, but it's possible that the art is not final.
Engine, transmission, weight... Rinspeed hasn't published a single technical detail about the Σtos concept, and the original images are 600 pixels wide, so we can barely talk about an "official presentation". One thing is certain: Rinspeed will make an appearance at the next edition of the Consumer Electronics Show, and it's expected to arrive in Las Vegas with a prototype ready to share with the public.
