Rinspeed Oasis

Rinspeed's creations often look inspired by wacky baccy; latest one gives you somewhere to grow it

Amid all the deeply earnest wealth measurement going on at Geneva light relief can typically be found over at the Rinspeed stand, the concept creations of 'Swiss automotive visionary' (his own press release's words) Frank M Rinderknecht always amusingly wacky.

We've had the Lotus-based sQuba submarine, Dock+Go Smart ForTwo and 'backpack' combo and the i8-based Etos complete with onboard drone for capturing your moments of motoring glory to share online. Now we have the Oasis, already shown Stateside with appearances at Detroit and CES but now joining the fray at the firm's home show.

Apparently inspired by R2D2, the self-driving Oasis then goes a little off-piste by boasting of an "integrated small garden plot behind the windshield" with space for "growing radishes or even little Bonsai trees". Or, if local legislation permits, perhaps something a little more recreational. One for residents of Colorado perhaps, though you might want to make use of the R2-inspired ability to turn round in "almost a zero radius" if you find yourself nearing the state line of somewhat less 'progressive' neighbours like Kansas.

It's not just a garden on wheels though. "Armchairs, sideboard and TV provide a modern living room ambience," the release continues. Inevitably it's also big on connection and social media, alerting you to destinations like restaurants your Facebook friends may have 'liked' and taking you straight there. Having reserved a table first, obviously. Suitably refreshed what if you fancy driving back yourself? You can but only if you stuck to the soft drinks, the Oasis conducting a slightly sinister sounding automatic "fitness and alertness test" before the foldaway wheel emerges.

A suitably free-thinking exercise then, Rinderknecht as ever spotting social trends as a way of pulling together a broad range of tech companies in the pursuit of identifying possible opportunities. And providing grow-your-own enthusiasts a way of getting about if they've got a bit high on their own supply.