The document summarizes an MIT research project called the EN-V (Electric Networked Vehicle), which aims to reinvent the automobile for urban mobility. The EN-V is a small, lightweight, low-speed electric vehicle designed for shared use with autonomous capabilities. It can help optimize urban traffic and parking needs while reducing emissions through electrification. Wireless connectivity allows for features like collision avoidance and integration with public transportation networks. The goal is to preserve the benefits of personal transportation within cities without the negative impacts on energy use, environment, congestion and cost by rethinking vehicle and mobility systems design.

1. In memory of
Bill Mitchell,
MIT Professor of Architecture
(1944-2010)

2. Reinventing the Automobile
(Electric Networked – Vehicle, EN-V):
(Personal) Urban Mobility for the 21st Century
Dr. Chris Borroni-Bird
Director,
Advanced Technology Vehicle Concepts
(and EN-V Program),
General Motors
2

3. Developing cities are the most densely populated
Source: Alain Bertaud (2002)
London
Manhattan
New York
Sao Paolo, Tokyo Shanghai
Source: Mats Andersson,
World Bank (2005)
Population density (people/hectare) 5

4. Population Density, Traffic Speed and CO2 emissions
Source: data from Jeffrey R. Newman, Felix B. Laube (eds) (2002) Source: NEDO report (2009)
Development of Energy saving ITS Technologies
6

5. Optimizing Urban Traffic Safety for all road users
China accident data, c. 2000-2005
7

6. EN-V: Comparison with conventional automobiles
Typical EN-V
automobile
Mass (kg) 1,500 500
Occupancy (# seats) 6 2
Parking space (m2) 15 5
Maximum speed (km/h) 200 50
Propulsion output (kW) 200 10
Driving range (km) 500 50
Energy consumption 1,000 100
(Wh / km)
CO2 emissions (g / km): 500 50
well-to-wheels (based
on US electricity mix)
8

7. Parking Space comparison
Downtown Albuquerque, NM
Source: MIT SmartCities Program 9

8. EN-V: High-Level Autonomous System Architecture
V2X, Maps & High Accuracy GPS for Outdoor Autonomous Navigation
V2V & High Accuracy Dead Reckoning for Indoor Autonomous Navigation
‘Park Command’ Road Side Wireless
‘Retrieval Command’ Equipment GPS
& Access
V2I Communications;
Points
‘Vehicle Status’ Position augmentation;
‘Wakeup’ Smart phone commands
(e.g. Park/Retrieve)
V2V
Communications
between Vehicles
VEHICLE
Brake, Manual
Steer and Controls
Wireless
Drive
Chassis GPS
Controls
Controls
Autonomous
Controls
Remote wakeup
Sensor Fusion
14

9. Autonomous Features demonstrated in EN-V
Forward Vision System
– Lane tracking
• Automated Retrieval – Object detection
– Far IR Capability
Short-
Short- Range
Range Sensors Long-Range
• Manual and Autonomous Driving Long- Sensors
Range
Scanning
Sensor
Sensors
Rear Vision System Enhanced
• Pedestrian and Obstacle – Object detection Digital
– Far IR Capability Map
System
Detection
Side Blind-Zone Alert
• Automatic Stop at Red Light or Lane-Change Assist
Intersection
• Videoconferencing from inside
vehicle Dedicated Short-Range
Communication + GPS (V2V)
• Collision avoidance with another
EN-V Forward Vision System
• Platooning with another EN-V
• Automated Parking Ultrasonic
Sensors
Ultrasonic
Sensors
Dedicated Short-Range
Communication + GPS (V2V)
15

10. EN-V: Throughput Comparison with Bus
16

11. Reinventing the Automobile for Urban Mobility (EN-V)
Design
Ultra-small vehicle is easy to
maneuver and park and is
inherently affordable and clean
Small vehicle is easier to park at stations,
encouraging more use of public transport
Reinventing
Urban
Electrification Mobility Connectivity
Battery propulsion provides Wireless communications
zero emissions and encourages helps to avoid collisions
diverse , renewable energy sources and optimize throughput
Electric Vehicles can be Wireless communications
charged at key locations, co-ordination with public
such as transport or help locate
public transport stations nearest shared vehicle
19

12. Summary
• Automobile usage in cities is common because it has some valued
advantages over walking/cycling and over public transport.
• For urban use, today’s automobile is heavily over-engineered.
• By reinventing the automobile, it is possible to preserve its benefits
(safety, security, comfort, convenience, utility, freedom of route and schedule)
without incurring the side-effects in urban use
(energy, environment, safety, congestion, parking, affordability)
• The same enablers (electrification, connectivity and vehicle design) can
also create new opportunities for seamlessly integrating personal and
public transport
20