The Mercedes-Benz boffins might have gone nuts, so someone pass us a straightjacket and a tazer. They have introduced a vehicle they call the Biome, which runs on plant juice and is supposedly created from genetically engineered seeds. Plant juice, indeed.
The 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show was the venue for the Design Los Angeles conference, for which the Biome was created last week. Sadly, the award was not given to it. It was beaten out by the Smart 452 and the Cadillac Aera 2+2 coupe, most likely because it was just too ridiculous, even for a concept car.
The structure of the Biome differs from that of a typical automobile. Rather, the car’s bodywork is made from two seeds, one for the outside and one for the inside, which grow into an incredibly light “BioFibre” that is then harvested and knitted together to form the body of the vehicle. In the meanwhile, four different seeds are used to grow the wheels. This could imply that you have to wait eighteen years for your car to mature and get permission to drive.
The DNA of these seeds is designed “to accommodate specific customer requirements,” according to Merc’s conceptualizers. Two Mercedes stars are made just for you; these stars are the seeds that sprout into your vehicle. We’re not sure what your genetic criteria are—straight blonde hair, maybe, or a knack for dentistry, for example.
For some who felt that the Biome was reminiscent of Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, consider this: BioNectar4534, a futuristic fuel, powers the Biome and is not kept in a tank.
Rather, the chassis, interior, and wheels’ BioFibre material stores BioNectar4534. Mercedes claims that the only pollutants produced by the Biome are pure oxygen. We’re not sure how to refill the vehicle or whether the chassis becomes all dry and crinkly after a few miles of driving.
Do you want more chaos? According to Mercedes-Benz, the company has created a technology that allows trees to be fitted with unique “receptors” that can gather extra solar energy and convert it into BioNectar4534.
Furthermore, when the Biome’s useful life comes to an end, it can be readily disposed of because it is composed of organic materials. It is completely biodegradable and can be utilized as a building material. As such, it is a part of the ecosystem from the beginning to the end of its existence.
Strange? Magnificent? Absolutely not possible? After perusing our gallery above, please leave a comment below with your thoughts on Mercedes-Benz’s recent behavior.
