The core of Sedric is its cutting-edge autonomous driving system, harnessing Level 5 technology currently under development by the Volkswagen Group for upcoming driverless cars set to debut after 2020. This system incorporates five lidar devices (light, image, detection, and ranging scanners) positioned on the Sedric’s roof, complemented by seven cameras and a range of radar sensors.

Linking the new concept with its user is a so-called mobility controller, which Jungwirth describes as the key fob of the future, dubbed OneButton. With one press, the controller hails the Sedric, displaying its arrival time with coloured signals as well as a vibration signal designed specifically to guides a person with impaired vision to the car.

The Volkswagen Group describes its new mobility concept as the “father of numerous concepts” already under development, suggesting it will also get “children and grandchildren” within the Volkswagen Group’s portfolio of brands, which includes Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Seat and Skoda.

Development of the Sedric took place at the Volkswagen Group’s Future Centre Europe in Potsdam, Germany following a greenlight to the program from the company’s chairman, Matthias Müller, in May 2016. It draws on mobility and propulsion ideas first presented by the Volkswagen Group at last year’s Geneva motor show.