CES 2022: Start-up Indigo presents vans with hub motors

The CES also showcased exciting start-ups like Indogo. They anticipate continued growth in on-demand deliveries and ride-sharing. And after companies like Uber and Amazon join the "Climate Pledge" to reduce their CO2 emissions to nearly zero, CO2-neutral vans are needed. Will Graylin, CEO of Indigo, describes them exuberantly:

"Indigo has invented robotic wheels that allow more space and comfort for small urban electric vehicles."

This somewhat elaborate drive concept has several advantages. Without gears and motors between the wheels, the van called Indigo Flow offers a low, flat floor that is supposed to provide more cargo space than any other vehicle of its size. Graylin adds:

"The active suspension in each wheel provides amazing driving comfort at an affordable price that people will love."

The driver always sits centrally and has plenty of leg and foot space, where the engine would be in other vehicles. This allows the driver's seat to be moved forward, creating more loading length and volume or space for passengers behind it.

During the vehicle presentation, Indigo also announced interesting personnel: Volker Kaese, former Head of Innovation Product Management at Audi, was appointed as Chief Technology Officer and explained:

"I look forward to making the greatest possible impact on the driving experience and the environment."

Kaese adds conceptually:

"From the voluminous interior to the sliding doors, the Indigo Flow will enable drivers to work more efficiently. In the end, they can earn more while doing good for our planet."

Kaese is one of the consistent drivers of innovative concepts: At the VW Group, he led the development of the one-liter Volkswagen XL1 and the Audi e-tron showcars, among others, and brings more than 20 years of experience in vehicle innovation to Indigo. Eric Obers, former design director at Porsche and Lucid, also brings a lot of experience. Additionally, Hugh Robinson, who worked at Porsche and GM, also contributed to the design of the Flow product line.

Besides the wheel hub concept, Indigo is also advancing topics such as lightweight construction and aerodynamics to achieve maximum efficiency with minimal resource use. Unfortunately, the Flow and Flow Plus vans are still only concept studies. Indigo has not yet provided any details about production or a market launch date.

What does that mean?

Lightweight construction, wheel hub motors, efficient space utilization, all elegantly and realistically packaged: Indigo could indeed spark a small van revolution. Hopefully, there will be enough funding for the next steps because the concept seems absolutely sensible and well thought out.