Smart 454 WWT Concept

Concept Cars 10 Nov 2010

Presented at the 2010 LA Design Challenge, the Smart 454 WWT Concept is a design study of a futuristic 2-seater with plastic body panels and a frame made of carbon fiber manufactured by knitting robots.

The Smart 454 WWT (Weight Watch Technologies) was designed by Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Germany for the Design Challenge hosted at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The car is a 2-seater features a Tridion-frame which is knit by so-called “Smart Granny Robots” (SGRs) out of carbon fiber.

The knitting can create complex shapes and forms, enabling the geometry to be optimized in strength and weight.

Each part is made of a different specific material, which gives the car an original look and allows to optimize the balance between weight and function.

Windows, fenders and bumpers are all made of recyclable plastics with ingrained colors. The roof is a thin, but highly durable recycled textile that comes with different prints and weavings.

The modular “clip-on” construction concept allows easy customization: the doors, roof, engine and drivetrain can be easily removed or replaced.

The wheels with integrated suspension are made of carbon fiber and their construction makes it impossible to run a flat tire.