Accor’s Bold Partnership for Self-Driving Vehicles Hinges on This
Photo Credit: A rendering of the planned Sofitel En Voyage pod would whisk guests around a city. Citroen/Sofitel
Skift Take
A successful rollout of Accor’s self-driving vehicles hinges on if — a very big if — city governments can agree to re-toggle their infrastructures. That’s a big ask for something pitched as a place to sip champagne and get a workout in the middle of city traffic.
Europe’s largest hotel company plans to take the guest experience on the road in the next decade.
Paris-based Accor this week partnered with French automaker Citroën and marketing firm JCDecaux on the Urban Collëctif, an self-driving urban mobility initiative. Accor’s portion of the partnership would incorporate two so-called autonomous vehicle offerings for its upscale Sofitel and fitness-geared Pullman brands. The Sofitel En Voyage would allow guests to transport around a city with luxurious amenities associated with the brand while the Pullman Power Fitness Pod would act as a gym-on-the-go for travelers looking to get a workout in between meetings.
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At a time when getting autonomous vehicles safely integrated onto city streets is already a challenge, Accor leaders maintain these two initial offerings are the leading concepts among 60 discussed during the planning phase. It also helps boost the company’s sustainability missi
