CES 2020: Mercedes unveils Avatar-inspired concept car that has scales and can drive sideways

MERCEDES Benz has unveiled its latest concept car which was inspired by the Hollywood blockbuster Avatar.

The futuristic motor was even designed with the help of the film’s director James Cameron.

Daimler-Benz – the parent company to Mercedes – debuted the new electric motor at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Monday.

Called the Advanced Vehicle Transformation (AVTR), the car is a prototype of what the German manufacturer believes its cars will look like in the distant future.

The electric car has no steering wheel as it is capable of being driven completely autonomously.

Instead, drivers can interact with the car through a central control unit which can recognise their pulse and breath.

Theoretically, passengers can then get the car to complete different functions by lifting their hand and selecting an option.

The AVR also boasts 33 movable bionic flaps that are meant to look like reptile scales, with Mercedes saying they could be used to communicate with people outside the car.

It can even move sideways and diagonally in a crab-like movement by about 30 degrees.

The bizarre model is powered by a 110kWh battery, which allows it to travel up to 434 miles on a single charge.

According to the German manufacturer, the materials in its engine are completely recyclable and environmentally-friendly.

Ola Kallenius, chief executive at Mercedes, said: “The result highlights completely new ways of intuitively connecting humans and machines – without wooden sticks, plastic knobs or a steering wheel.

“It takes sustainability to new levels through a fully recyclable battery, which is based on an organic cell chemistry and doesn’t need materials like nickel or cobalt.”

James Cameron, director of the Avatar series, said at the launch event: “I sat at this car, at the control interface and it just felt alive, it breathes, it’s just organic.

“I was a little disappointed to find out I can’t order one, but apparently we’re a ways off from that.

“Do you want to aspire for a future where cars like this are possible or do you want to be a bad steward? You have to start with the gesture, you have to start with the idea.”