This Autonomous Electric Car Concept Actively Cleans the Air While It Drives

We’ve seen plenty of electric car concepts designed to push the boundaries of the way we think about what a car can do. This sentiment is especially true when it comes to the autonomous versions with reconfigurable interior spaces and computer chauffeurs, but even those aren’t quite like the new Airo concept. Designed by Heatherwick Studio–the same studio that brought the Vessel building to New York’s Hudson Yards–for IM Motors, Airo is a self-driving electric car concept that doubles down on the eco-friendly aspect of electric by using a built in HEPA filter to actively clean the air around it while it drives. It was also important to Thomas Heatherwick to address the global space shortage, which is why the interior can be configured into multiple functional spaces for eating, lounging, gaming and even sleeping by adjusting the chairs, table and screens. It does have the ability to be driver-controlled, but we don’t see that getting used that often when you can catch up on emails, have a meal or take a nap on the road. The Airo is scheduled to go into production in 2023.