AUDIEVOLVE
This project was produced for a year long master’s design methodology depth course. My team was partnered with students from Aalto University and Audi through the Electronic Research Lab (ERL). Below shows our final solution, which was reached through many prototypes in this design space.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) will become relatively common by the year 2035 and Audi envisions car design will focus not only on the driving experience, but also the riding experience. Important areas in designing cabin spaces for AVs include how people will interact with the cabin space of an AV to perform many activities including, but not limited to driving. It will become necessary to create a multi-functional cabin space that allows the user to seamlessly transition between the increasing number of activities they would perform in an AV. Read the full project report HERE.
OUR VISION: THE ANTICIPATORY CHAIR
To provide the driver with a system that increases mobility within the cabin space and effortlessly transition between modes and activities in autonomous vehicles.
The centered driver seat gives the driver maximum in-car mobility. The highly sensitive chair sensors read the driver’s needs and intelligently sense different body movements. The chair can respond with a 180-degree rotation or a recline adjustment. With a slight twist of the upper body, the chair will begin to rotate. With a push on the seat back, the chair reclines. The system also integrates a “foot actuator” that initiates backward and forward movement based on the driver’s force applied with their feet.
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
PROCESS
PROCESSES USED: Lasercutting, milling, waterjet cutting, acrylic bending, fiberglass, woodworking and 3d printing.