Tag Archives: autonomous vehicle

Meet the Honda Kei, a simple and efficient autonomous vehicle for commuting in the urban future

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If you know anything about Japanese cars, you’ve definitely heard about Kei car. It literally means “light car” and was a result of the spending capability of the Japanese post World War II. If you ever visit Japan, you’ll be able to identify them by their typical yellow license plates.

The design of future vehicles is already seeing a paradigm shift from the traditional craft owing to the turbulent dynamics of the current world we live in. Climate change, pandemic, and other human-induced activities affect the design evolution both in psychological and eco-conscious terms. As a result, we’ve seen quite a few socializing vehicle concepts centered on minimalism and an airy feel to soak in the natural environment. The Honda Kei autonomous concept vehicle designed by Mostafa Bonakdar comes from this very genre.

The electric vehicle draws inspiration from the Honda Kei – picturing the future of an urban personal commuter or a rental car. That is mixed with the vision of current-age in-house robots bots like Asimo or 3E-C18. Even the Samsung’s Gear 360 camera and the robotic delivery vehicle by Starship are considered for the initial sketches. However, Mostafa emphasizes the Honda Acty cab over microvan and the Kei trucks manufactured by Honda from 1977 till 2021 as the initial starting point of the design. The penned future Kei has a glass dome top to maximize interaction with the elements. This glass dome also aids in long-range visibility with a 180-degree unobstructed view in every direction. As I can see, the Kei concept is about keeping Honda’s inherent ideology of minimum footprint and optimum use of space.

Honda Kei has a very apparent boxy design characteristic that some will love like hell while others won’t notice. The minimal footprint is another quality worth highlighting here, an absolute brownie point heading into the future where sense prevails and is all about a considerate lifestyle!

Designer: Mostafa Bonakdar

This 100% Hydrogen-powered autonomous road truck brings zero-emission transportation to freeways!

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While the world is stressing over the carbon emissions of fuel-powered vehicles, the freight trucking industry remains neglected compared to two and four-wheelers. Renowned French manufacturer Gaussin known for its all-electric shifters is set to revolutionize the trucking industry with its upcoming skateboard platform for class 8 tractors and straight trucks ranging from 18 tons to 44 tons. The intelligent drive system will come in two different versions promising sustainable cruising minus the harmful emissions. The hydrogen-powered setup for long-distance transportation requirements or the electric-powered design for shorter distance transportation is the two different versions.

This versatile system means that truckers can go 500 miles on a single charge with the hydrogen-powered configuration and make a quick pit stop of 20 minutes when the power is about to run out. The all-electric configuration will offer a range of 180 miles on a single charge, with the option to swap the battery instantly. The new chassis is ultra-lightweight, with it being 400 kg lighter than the traditional chassis currently on the freight trucks. Depending on the client’s needs, the platform comes in varied lengths, height, and axle configurations to cater to the demands of the market. It will even have the option for autonomous driving, courtesy of the open interface.

According to CEO Christophe Gaussin, “With this hydrogen and electric skateboard, a world premiere, Gaussin reaffirms its pioneering role in the ecological transition and the development of low-carbon mobility solutions.” Given the future-forward motives driven by clean transportation initiatives of the company, another French company has already asked Gaussin to develop three different types of hydrogen-powered lorries for upcycling excavated soil from urban sites. These include 10×4 70-ton tipper vehicles (for on-site transport) operational for 10 hours on a single charge, cabin-less purported self-driving 10×4 tipper capable of hauling 25 percent more payload, and 4×2 44-ton electric-powered tractors for road transport. Gaussin said on its official website, “This first contract for Gaussin’s modular hydrogen and electric ‘skateboard’ and its version for public works carriers and tractors comes less than a month after the official presentation of this revolutionary vehicle.” The first batch of trucks is expected to arrive in 2022, and we look forward to seeing them in motion.

Designer: Gaussin





This edgy Volvo lounge car redefines autonomous luxury travel of the future

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A practical automotive design has to look good, but the interior has to be functional and crafted, keeping in mind the long-term utility and comfort! Roman Zenin who’s a creative designer from the United Kingdom, and currently an exterior designer at Land Rover, gives much weightage to the quality interiors of a vehicle that lets you express yourself. This Volvo concept design by him is an extension of the master thesis project during his study at Pforzheim University – fully sponsored and supervised by Volvo cars when he spent half a year at their design studio in Gothenburg in 2017-2018.

Dubbed the ‘Volvo Think inside the box, Roman’s creation focusing on the comfy interiors of the autonomous four-wheeler is a result of the reworked project that he took up at Volvo. The man maximum machine minimum philosophy is the dominant influence for this autonomous vehicle design with the open space principle – wherein the car is more of a private zone tailored for the intended purpose – lounging, office work, or simply leisure with family. The two-seater version of the Volvo cocoons the riders in a space where they can feel at home with the big couch-like seating and ample legroom to flex the muscles after a long day’s work at the office. The big entertainment display right where the windshield is, lets the user enjoy their private time as the car takes them to their destination in the utmost comfort!

The physical widget showcased can instantly access the frequently accessed functions by turning it 90 degrees and toggling the options by moving it up or down. For instance, turning on the volume of the audio system or adjusting the temperature control inside. The modular console can be used as a table or turned into a desk for more work-oriented tasks like checking emails on your laptop. Below the top surface, there is space to store your accessories, books, or anything else. There’s another drawer-like closet under the front entertainment display to keep stuff like clothes.

At the touch of a button, the glass window can be turned to private mode as they fog-up. The panoramic windshield that runs right through to the rear can be cleaned via a cool spoiler-like wiper that runs the length of the windshield to clean it up when it’s raining or you need to see the star-studded sky. The exterior has a very jazzy profile with an elongated chassis for more interior space. Overall, Roman’s well-thought-out concept gives us a peek into the future of autonomous and comfy four-wheeler designs!

Designer: Roman Zenin

This Buick Electra Concept emanates from an organic alien Spaceship design

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Deriving its inspiration from the waterdrops in the spaceship from the Trisolaris planet in the Alpha Centauri System (imagined in the sci-fi novel trilogy Three-Body Problem) the Buick Electra Concept oozes with the organic, sharp, and defined shapes that more than meet the eye. Culminated by pro designer Liang Feng, the concept car is the futuristic ride you’d expect to drive in a distant future where minimalism and function will be the primary drivers for the design language of automobiles.

Buick Electra Concept is a four-wheeler that will be propelled by a powerful electric drivetrain that doesn’t take much space – having a man maximum machine minimum philosophy that focuses on passenger comfort and elevated experience of commuting from one destination to the other. If there’s one electric car that you would want to drive after riding your Tesla Model 3 on pure aesthetic value, it would be this one. That superlative association is influenced by the sheer fluidic design of the Buick Electra that’s so subtle and stylish – evoking an instant sense of comfort and safety on a high-speed drive on the freeway.

The all-glass panoramic window panels, definitive front grill design, and the ultra-stylish rear with sharp, edgy aesthetics speak volumes of the amount of thinking that’s gone into penning this concept. While for an unassuming mind, it might be just another run-off-the-mill concept, someone with a good design sense would highly appreciate the car’s visually flowing balance and its focus on the riders without much fuss. I want to go for a few miles ride aboard the Buick Electra, don’t you?

Designer: Liang Feng

Hyundai’s TIGER ‘ultimate mobility vehicle’ concept is the size of a housecat

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The public got its first glimpse of Hyundai’s Ultimate Mobility Vehicle (UMV) concept, the Elevate, at CES 2019. The attending crowds were presented with scenes of disaster, destruction and desolation as the car-sized robot with wheels for feet at th...

Jeep should give this edgy, futuristic EV for digital nomads some serious thought

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For people like us working constantly in front of the screen can at times get boring, and the only pipedream is to have a fully customizable camper that changes its configuration depending on the needs. And yes, it should be eco-friendly and fully autonomous. If you think I’m asking for too much, then this cool project by B.K. Kang might change your perception. Fast forward a decade and this might actually be quite conceivable – a four-wheeler for digital nomads who happen to be adventure lovers, always longing for that next road trip to socialize with like-minded people.

Kang calls it the Jeep Ger/D-nomad Hub, and although the name sounds a bit odd, it makes complete sense as it’s not just about the Jeep Ger electric vehicle, it’s also about the docking station (or central docking station) where one can replenish and make temporary home until the next destination. The idea is inspired by the Mongolian ger – an insulated mobile home native to the Mongolian nomadic tribes and some Asian regions. Since there are no driving aids like steering or pedals, space is all there for your digital life. You can turn it into a comfy setup having a floating hammock and lounge area or a more formal setting with a desk and transforming bed.

The central hub is more like an airport terminal where the Jeep Ger can be docked temporarily to finish up an important board meeting or maybe picking up supplies for a long trip ahead. The rear of the vehicle is inspired by the opening of a milk carton for full access to the interior while being docked. When it’s time to move, the opening closes up effortlessly. Three space under the front hood to store luggage and the solar panel roof on top can be lifted when a more airy interior is the need. To have the right ambient lighting, the lights on the floor can be adjusted to the preferred mode. The design is focused on productivity on the move and making the occupants feel right at home. A pretty interesting concept don’t you think?

Designer: B.K. Kang

Amazon’s bi-directional robotaxi brings autonomous ridesharing + safety to futuristic urban spaces

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Driverless ride-sharing commute is what we are headed towards in the future, as one more exciting autonomous electric transport pod joins the likes of Nuro, Cruise Origin and Toyota e-Palette. Amazon-owned Zoox (acquired last year by Amazon) has been working relentlessly for six years towards its goal of bringing fully-autonomous robotaxi to the crowded urban landscape, which has finally been revealed. The on-demand ridesharing vehicle is “built for riders, not drivers,” as stated by the makers. According to Aicha Evans, Zoox CEO, “We are transforming the rider experience to provide superior mobility-as-a-service for cities. And as we see the alarming statistics around carbon emissions and traffic accidents, it’s more important than ever that we build a sustainable, safe solution that allows riders to get from point A to point B.” The all-electric four-wheeler looks quite polished and ready for the public roads, however, for now, it will be tested extensively on private roads before commuters can buy themselves a ride on-board the carriage-style vehicle having four seats facing each other.

Zoox is a conventional cube-shaped with a unique bi-directional ride sans any steering wheel – having the capability to smoothly navigate tight spaces without much fuzz since it comes with a 4 wheel independent suspension system. The fact that it can move in any direction (independent turning wheels) and does not need to reverse (remember it is bi-directional) gives it an advantage on urban roads as it measures just 3.63 meters. The interior of the autonomous ride has charging ports and a small display is quite minimalistic with emphasis on passenger safety as there are next-generation airbags enveloping the passengers, providing five-star safety standards by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. To further enhance the safety of the riders, the vehicle is decked in six LIDAR pucks, multiple sensors, and cameras for a 270-degree field of view – covering the blind spots and having the ability to see objects 150 meters away en route for a safe ride. And it can achieve a top speed of 70 miles per hour, so you can rest assured of arriving at your destination on time.

At the heart of the electric vehicle is a 133kWh battery pack that makes the vehicle operational for 10 hours continuously on a single charge. There is no official word on the mileage, but it would be safe to assume that it should be capable of delivering at least 300 miles after one recharge cycle. Zoox is currently being tested in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Foster City – and it will be commercially manufactured in the United States. For now, there is no word as to when you can hail a ride on this futuristic public transport vehicle, but the times look exciting in the coming years as Zoox looks the closest to commercializing its dream service.

Designer: Zoox

Watch Einride’s autonomous truck take on the ‘Top Gear’ track

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Einride recently revealed its revamped autonomous delivery truck, which is more aerodynamic than the previous version. To give a glimpse of the Pod in action, the Einride team put the AV through its paces on the Top Gear track in Surrey, England.It’s...

Meet the Mercedes-Benz Vision Duet, the next impossible concept for the luxury automaker to conquer!

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Fast forward to the year 2035 and you’ll be riding in the cozy confines of your luxury coupe for your next escapade – connecting with nature like never before. That’s what designer Lujie Huang has proposed for millennials to be close to nature and also with their close ones. As a part of his senior thesis, while studying at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, Lujie thought of creating a 3-seat grand tour which has an inside out design approach. According to him, “The objective is to capture the magical moments of user experience offered by autonomous vehicles as a part of our lifestyles.”

He calls this luxury coup of the future “Mercedes-Benz Vision Duet” and it has the essence of marine design influence and by the Mobius strip (yes, the same one that inspired Tony Stark!) The coupe has cocooned seating embodied with an open seating experience, much like the two-seater coupe convertible. Huang believes that autonomous electric vehicles will be a common thing by the 2030s. Given the level 5 autonomous design of the Vison Duet, the car carries that very imagination with no driving controls like steering wheel, pedals, or gear shifters. The inside-out approach is evident in the comfortable forward-facing seats and a center table inside the cabin. On the one side on the front, there’s a retracting storage drawer for food and utensils while on the opposite side there is a built-in mini-fridge. When the car is parked amidst nature, the glass roof retracts and the third seat opposite the conventional seating area (inspired by the seating layout of leisure boats) can be used for enjoying the surrounding view with your pals. On the outside, the car impresses with an iconic Mercedes-Benz grille and the rear sporting a strikingly cool bumper design.

The EV also derives inspiration from the classics of the past, blending it with modern luxury which is apparent from the overall flowing design on the coupe. In a way, it also looks influenced by the very future-forward and practical Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR (the names sound similar too). The only predicament of the design and functionality with Huang’s iteration is its practicality! The lack of doors makes safety an issue. Also, not to ignore the ability of the EV to reach high speeds since the aerodynamic drag would make it impossible for the riders to get away with chunky hair after a long trip! The fun is when the car is parked and you can bask in the luxury of a picnic-like setup. Perhaps, the addition of clear glass doors that can be retracted is a more viable option for the riders to feel safe. Maybe Mercedes should ask Tony Stark to share his input after all the Mobius strip did help him breakthrough one difficult problem already!

Designer: Lujie Huang

Ideation and Explorations

The Final Design