[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/autonomous-motiv-microcar-platform\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/autonomous-motiv-microcar-platform\/","headline":"Autonomous MOTIV Microcar Platform","name":"Autonomous MOTIV Microcar Platform","description":"Less Than 100 Inches Long \u2013 meet the Autonomous MOTIV Microcar Platform! If you were thinking that recent EV news was indicating that manufacturers were realising that people wanted electric vehicles that didn\u2019t look like a different species, then you would be right. Yet there are still manufacturers combining green, ecological EV ethics within the design of a small, efficient vehicle. The Gordon Murray Design MOTIV Pod is one such vehicle. It\u2019s not designed for reps continually circling the M25 […]","datePublished":"2020-02-13","dateModified":"2020-02-13","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Autonomous-MOTIV-Microcar-Platform-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Autonomous-MOTIV-Microcar-Platform-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/autonomous-motiv-microcar-platform\/","about":["Cars","ELECTRIC CARS","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":597,"keywords":["autonomous car","Gordon Murray Design","MOTIV"],"articleBody":"Less Than 100 Inches Long \u2013 meet the Autonomous MOTIV Microcar Platform!If you were thinking that recent EV news was indicating that manufacturers were realising that people wanted electric vehicles that didn\u2019t look like a different species, then you would be right. Yet there are still manufacturers combining green, ecological EV ethics within the design of a small, efficient vehicle. The Gordon Murray Design MOTIV Pod is one such vehicle.It\u2019s not designed for reps continually circling the M25 likevultures, the MOTIV has been created specifically for small local deliveries, wherea large van might be perceived as overkill, and as a \u2018robo-taxi\u2019. The littlequadricycle is the result of Gordon Murray Design, itMoves and Delta Motorsportcoming together, and the resulting MOTIV autonomous vehicle platform wasunveiled at the MOVE Mobility Conference in London on 11 February. It\u2019s beenhailed as a platform to be made available for any company requiring a one-seatautonomous taxi or shuttle service.The lightweight aluminium MOTIV quadricycle platform has been part-funded by a 2017 Government initiative called the IDP14. The initiative allowed UK businesses to be able to apply for a share of \u00a318million, which was set aside to fund the development of vehicle technology that will power the UK towards zero-emission transport.With a range of around 60 miles and a top speed of 40mph,the MOTIV is not going to break any distance or land speed records. It\u2019s avehicle that is very limited by its size and a 17.3kWh battery plus a 20kWmotor, which will give around 2.5 to 5 hours continuous use before needing arecharge. 0-62mph is a bit more impressive at just 5 seconds \u2013 though whetherthat would feel exhilarating or downright scary in a singe-seat pod is anothermatter entirely; though it does comply with Euro crash safety regulations of course.The pod\u2019s footprint is tiny, at 2,537mm long (less than 100 inches) and 1,310mm wide. Inside, the layout is going to be a surprise to many who might expect a combination of a standard overriding dashboard layout with whatever is needed for autonomous control. Not so, the MOTIV pod features no traditional direct controls for the powering the chassis, just a 24-inch touchscreen for infotainment and navigation. If used as a small commercial \u2018van\u2019, with the interior taken out, internal storage space becomes 1,100 litres.The MOTIV complies with EU laws for heavy quadricycles. Thisis the same 4-wheel microcar L7e category in which the Renault Twizy sits. Theunladen weight must not exceed 450g, and that is indeed the figure that theMOTIV comes in at (minus its battery pack).The MOTIV will recharge to around 80% capacity in about 40 minutes and rides on 13-inch wheels with MacPherson suspension providing comfort. One big plus point is that the MOTIV can be aligned to work with every existing form of autonomous technology. This is a major coup of for the little pod of course. We are still at the VHS\/Betamax stage of autonomous technology – it\u2019s still arguably a bit of a gamble as to whichever technology you choose to invest in.It\u2019s hard to make such tiny small 4-wheel vehicles look likeanything other than glorified mobility scooters \u2013 a comparison the Twizy hassuffered from in the past. Yet the designers of the MOTIV have done their verybest. Many reviews have already criticised the look, but I do honestly think itlooks fine \u2013 not great, but fine. I think it maybe bears more of a resemblanceto a 1950s BMW Isetta \u2018bubble car\u2019 than anything else.Images: gordonmurraydesign.com"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Autonomous MOTIV Microcar Platform","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/autonomous-motiv-microcar-platform\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]