This vehicle, currently called the eT!, has been shown at a few auto shows already in one form or another, the folks at Co.Exist noting that the’ve taken a spin in a Volkswagen with a similar technology embedded just last year. No vehicle from the auto group is quite ready for commercial production, but a quick peek at the van image above and below will let you know how close this model van is, at least. Mail people of America – this look like something you’d like to roll out in in the near future?

In addition to being able to be called forth by the user, this van can be controlled by a joystick in the passenger’s seat for further convenience. Volkswagen’s statement on the vehicle and its technology read in part:

“This makes unnecessary walking movements around the vehicle a thing of the past.” – VW

Of course it’s not really the “walking movements” that we’re concerned about in regards to the future of the postal service as it exists here in the United States today, but its nice to know that VW has a concern for the knees of the German people at the moment. Look for these vehicles to make their way over the sea in the next few years if the Deutsch decide that we’re worthy of such magic.

[via Co.Exist]

Altogether, the car is packed with a radar system, various cameras and ultrasonic sensors, a laser scanner and an “electronic horizon” that, together, give it an understanding of whereabouts on the road it is and what other traffic or pedestrians are around it. Rather than taking full control, Volkswagen is positioning TAP as an assistance aid for periods where accidents are increasingly likely: complex lane navigation, junctions and traffic jams. The system can take control, alert the driver with noisy alarms, and even perform an emergency stop.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen autonomous systems included in a car: various luxury models from Mercedes, BMW and other marques include intelligent safety systems that couple dynamic cruise-control – identifying the traffic ahead and adjusting speed accordingly – with sensor arrays to increase the likelihood of emergency stop maneuvers being effective. However, manufacturers have been reluctant to give their systems too much independence, with questions over the legality and liability of auto-pilot options still unanswered.

Volkswagen hasn’t said when – or if – TAP will make it to a production model, though as the continuation of a research program stretching back to 2008 it seems likely to do so. Meanwhile Google is pushing ahead with its own robotic car systems, in the hope that states allow it to roll the vehicles out onto the public highway.

[via PhysOrg]

The team at Volkswagen really took the iPad integration seriously. This isn’t just a simple docking system. The design comes included with a semicircular multifunction display just under the speedometer. This display can communicate with the iPad to display and control the navigation system, media playback, the integrated trip computer, and the bluetooth enabled communications package.

Volkswagen kept the Bulli true to the spirit of the Microbus. It’s definitely of the same line, just brought up into the present day. For a nod to the car-camping culture that spawned the popularity of VW’s Microbus throughout the past sixty four years, the seats fold down into a bed for use as an impromptu camper.

Check out the concept renderings Volkswagon released in Geneva.

[via Autoblog]

Volkswagen are boasting that they’ve created the first vehicle to run on biogas, which hasn’t lost any of its performance because of it. In fact, they automobile’s designers are going as far as to say that their biogas-based Bio-Bug can “blow away” the electric-based competition. Apparently, consumers won’t even notice the difference. As for the car itself, the Bio-Bug is a 2 liter VW convertible, which runs on both converted waste, and gasoline. AS with electric vehicles that take use of both powering options, when the biogas runs out, the gasoline engine will take over.

The company behind the Bio-Bug is based out of the UK, and called GENeco. They are a company focused on sustainable energy and its uses. Right now, the Bio-Bug is rolling around the UK in a trial period, but the company plans to build a whole lot more of the vehicles if their trial period goes well. Of course, they still have the huge leap of explaining biogas to consumers, and telling them they are driving on a bunch of human waste. That may be the tough part.

[via Inhabitat]

Video demo after the cut

There’s also 3G via an EVDO Rev.A modem, plus WiFi and Bluetooth, and USB devices can be plugged into ports hidden in the glove compartment.  The system uses touchscreen gestures to control music playback and other functions, meaning you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to operate them.

The head-unit itself was manufactured by Compal, and while there’s no word on whether it will end up an option in production vehicles, the video certainly seems to suggest that could eventually be the case.  No hardware details of the prototype system are given, but Intel’s own IVI reference design suggests an Atom Z530 processor with the System Controller Hub US15W, paired with 1GB of RAM, up to two PATA hard-drives, 5.1 surround sound, WiFi, WiMAX and a TV tuner.

VW Intel IVI prototype:

Intel & VW Execs discuss In-Vehicle Infotainment:

This three seater runs off an electric engine and was designed with ergonomics in mind. Influence by the architecture of Santiago Calatrava, Kirsch wanted to design a comfortable car that was ecologically friendly.

Let’s hope it at least makes the car exhibition rounds so we can see it up close. Don’t expect to see the Viseo driving around your neighborhood anytime soon.

Cool Concept – The Volkswagen Viseo [gadgettastic]

The Beetles come in pink or blue and the campers come in green or red. When you are transferring data and all that good stuff, the lights flash and there are horns that honk too.

That has got to be the best part because I think it would be awesome to be able to store 256MB of data on a flash drive that is better a pissing off my co-workers than I am. You can order them from various UK sites for as low as the rough equivalent of $39.

VW USB Memory Sticks [via GeekAlerts]

They even put flowers and lettering that spelled out “love”. I would have loved to have been there for the conversation where the boss declares to the employees he wants to dip a car in chocolate. Not only that, but he also doesn’t wants to use it for the companies advertisement, no he wants to put it in front of a grocery store.

I just get a little sad when I think about what is going to happen to all of that chocolate, because I don’t think it’s likely that they will eat any of it. If they did that would be one heck of an office party though.

Chocolate-covered Volkswagen Beetle [via popgadget]

Buy a VW, get a free electric guitar [Via: MobileMag]