Mercedes-Benz Biome Concept

The Mercedes-Benz Biome is a futuristic ultralight concept that uses advanced bio-technologies to increase eco-efficiency. It was created by Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Center California for the 2010 LA Design Challenge.

The Mercedes-Benz Biome makes use of a hypothetical bio-technology called Symbiosis – "a system in which the vehicle becomes part of the ecosystem like the leaves of a tree."

The vehicle is grown in the company's Nursery through proprietary DNA. The customer's specific desires are genetically engineered into the Star and the vehicle grows when this combines with the Seed capsule.

The interior of the Biome grows from Mercedes-Benz DNA in the front star, when it fuses with the seed. The exterior grows from the rear star, creating the shape. The wheels are grown separately from four unique seeds.

The vehicle is capable of collecting energy from the sun and storing it in chemical bonds, in the form of a fluid called BioNectar4534.

Thanks to another technology trees can be retrofitted with receptors that can harvest their excess solar energy into BN4534.

This creates an incentive to plant more trees and collect more energy, while also helping the ecosystem. The vehicle can be composted after its lifespan is complete or used as building material.

Most of the energy used to power the vehicles is stored in a lightweight grown material called BioFibre. It is much lighter than metal or synthetic composites, but stronger than steel when mature.

Thanks to its technology, the Biome Concept releases pure oxygen into the environment.
Design Team:

* Hubert Lee
* Christopher Rhoades
* Nicolas Garfias
* Alan Barrington
* Daniel Kim
* Benjamin Messmer
* Jack Luttig

(Source: LA Auto Show)