Tag Archives: self-driving

AI-powered self-driving golf trolley can follow you around and give you tips

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It’s too easy to underestimate golf as a sport, but the ability to hit a small ball with an equally small stick and have it roll into a hole miles away is no easy feat. It requires no small amount of skill, focus, and concentration, all of which could be undone by the stress of having to mind things not directly related to playing the game, such as carrying all those golf clubs. You can always hire people to carry those for you, a.k.a. caddies, but that might not always be a feasible option. We’re at an age where not just vacuum cleaners but also cars can already drive themselves, so why not have a trolley do that as well? And with some AI magic, it can even be your golf coach, too!

Designer: Futurewave, Botronics

That is the kind of liberating experience that the iXi robot golf trolley is promising. It is an extremely minimalist four-wheeled robot designed to carry your bag of golf clubs and follow you wherever you go. Although it could raise concerns about the potential loss of human employment, the self-driving robot offers players more freedom of movement and convenience without having to worry about needing someone to do that work. It allows them to simply focus on the task at hand: playing golf. It’s like having your own personal caddy, without the potential source of distraction.

Although iXi does have sensors and intelligence to follow its human owner, its AI also serves a second purpose. It can analyze the player’s swing and offer insights that could help improve their gameplay. It’s pretty much like what those golf smartwatches try to offer, but with a better view of the player’s posture and swing thanks to cameras and sensors. Maybe someday, iXi will even be able to offer the right club to use and have it ready even before the player reaches for it.

iXi’s intelligence is perhaps hidden by its extremely simple design, a platform with four wheels, a post to support a golf bag, and a handle that holds the screen controller. This design was made by choice, of course, as it makes it easy for the trolley to fold down into a compact form for easier transport. It could save you not only space but also money in the long run, without losing the peace of mind that comes with not having to carry a heavy bag of clubs on your shoulder every time you have to move to the next spot.

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Self-driving pod helps mobility-impaired pedestrians cross dangerous roads

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Plenty of new automotive technologies and concepts are naturally being made for the benefit of drivers and passengers, but they are supposed to also indirectly help pedestrians as well, at least in theory. With AI at the driver’s wheel, the promise of safer roads is being made, though we seem to still be far from achieving that ideal future. In the meantime, pedestrians crossing urban roads and highways are still at risk, especially the elderly, people with disabilities, and basically anyone who might not be able to cross fast enough before the light turns green again. Current solutions like footbridges are obviously not designed for these people as well, so this concept mobility device tries to take the fight to cars’ own turf by giving pedestrians their very own self-driving vehicle.

Designer: Jiseon Ju, Gawon Min

Roads are, of course, made for vehicles, and sidewalks and footbridges are for pedestrians. That said, there will always be places where these paths meet, appropriately called crosswalks, and people outside of vehicles are always at a disadvantage and at risk. Traffic lights seem to never give pedestrians enough time to cross safely, or make the presumption that everyone can walk at top speed, presuming they can walk at all. These systems are obviously not very accessible and alienate a large portion of the population, and it’s in dire need of a better and smarter solution.

Crosswalk Mobility is a concept for a cubicle on wheels that ferry people from one side of the street to another. It’s basically designed for people with mobility impairments, from the elderly to the injured. Given its enclosed design, it can also be used by parents with toddlers who are prone to suddenly running off while crossing streets. Of course, you can’t have a permanent driver for such a pod, so it naturally uses self-driving technologies to move.

What makes the concept even more interesting is that it works in conjunction with what should be a smart traffic system. In a nutshell, it communicates with traffic lights so that it can extend the red light duration until it safely reaches the other side. Ideally, traffic lights should allocate enough time for people to safely cross, but this system leaves nothing to chance.

The mobility device itself is designed to be powered using solar energy, ensuring its continued operations 24/7. Instead of regular wheels, it proposes using ball-type wheels that can turn more smoothly as needed. The boxy shape has spacious room even for people in wheelchairs and their companions, and the floor-to-ceiling glass panels increase visibility not only for drivers but also for the people inside. It’s definitely an interesting idea that will significantly increase pedestrian safety, but it unfortunately won’t work unless the traffic system on those roads is also upgraded to work with these self-driving boxes.

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Self-driving taxi for one concept is perfect for solo commuters

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The majority of self-driving car concepts envision a future where family and friends take advantage of the freedom these vehicles offer. Even strangers, however, can also benefit from autonomous vehicles by making mass transit more efficient. Not all commuters, however, are comfortable traveling with strangers, and even self-driving sedans could be a waste of space and energy for these people. If self-driving vehicles are supposed to make traveling more efficient and, therefore, more environment-friendly, then they should also take into account the needs of solo commuters, which is exactly what this concept for a single-person autonomous taxi tries to do.

Designer: Tony Ma

To be fair, not having to worry about driving while interacting with other people in the vehicle is one of the biggest pulls of the concept, but it’s not the most fundamental benefit. What autonomous cars offer is the freedom to do more important things other than almost mindless driving, whether it’s socializing, preparing for your next meeting, or even resting. Spending some alone time is not exactly easy if you’re traveling with others, whether they’re strangers or not, and having a four-passenger car all to yourself every day is a wasteful use of resources.

TAXI for one is a design concept whose name says it all. Instead of a car, it looks more like a mini golf cart split in half to fit only one person inside. And since it’s a self-driving vehicle, that person is the one and only passenger, with no other people to potentially disturb you or make you feel less secure. It’s perfect for people who, for whatever reason, prefer to travel solo and have very few things to carry with them, like going to and from the office.

The key design requirement for such a single-passenger autonomous vehicle would be the compactness of space while still providing comfort and room for storage. The latter goes into a compartment in front of the vehicle rather than at the back like a traditional trunk. This makes loading and unloading easy because the storage is near the vehicle’s door rather than forcing riders to go around first.

In exchange for the more compact form, however, the TAXI for one has very little room for reclining the seat and stretching your legs. As such, it isn’t exactly designed for longer periods of travel and is better suited for inter-city commutes only. That is probably fine for future workers who just want to get to the office and back home without much fuss, fanfare, or dealing with random people.

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Sleek self-driving air purifier robot can go where it’s needed the most

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The air purifier market saw a huge uptick in the past years as homeowners became more aware and concerned about the quality of the air they breathe indoors. A single machine is enough to satisfy the needs of a room or a small apartment, but bigger domiciles would need more units to cover the wider space or numerous rooms. Of course, people won’t be in all those spaces or rooms at the same time, and managing multiple air purifiers could be a tiresome task, even if they’re all connected to your smartphone. What if the air purifier operated only where it’s needed, like in a place where the air quality is too low for comfort? That’s the idea behind this concept design for this elegant air purifier that can indeed go to those areas, using technologies already in use today.

Designer: Gwan-deok Seo

Air purifiers these days, at least the more sophisticated ones, can already detect air quality, but it’s more for automatically adjusting the level of purifying they do more than pinpointing where the poor air is. Robot vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, have become so advanced that they can effortlessly navigate around your home, mapping the floor layout on their own and avoiding all kinds of obstacles. There’s very little reason why these technologies can’t be combined, at least aside from the space they might take up on a single machine.

Puyager is a concept that does mix these two seemingly different worlds together in a harmonious manner and with a compact design. Of course, it can’t just be a low, disc-shaped machine like most robot vacuum cleaners on the market. It would be too cramped to include the necessary parts for sucking in, filtering, and blowing out air. At the same time, however, a box or cylindrical design similar to typical air purifiers would be too bulky, not to mention unappealing for something that will be moving around your house.

The shape chosen for this robot is an egg or at least the top half of one. This allows the bottom section to still be that round shape that makes robot vacuums efficient in moving around while leaving enough room for electronics and air circulation. Unlike a simple dome, however, Puyager has a gap between the left and right halves of this egg, providing an outlet for clean air to be released. The top edge of this gap houses the touch-sensitive controls that let owners minimally operate the machine without having to reach for their phone.

The end result is a product that looks stylish and elegant, a perfect fit for any home. Even while stationary, Puyager looks like a piece of decoration more than an appliance, adding a bit of visual value whether it’s busy purifying the air or just idling. Admittedly, its performance in actually detecting poor air quality and rolling over there to clean it is something that still needs to be tested, but the design is definitely a good starting point for a more modern and more human-centric solution to air quality at home.

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Self-driving car concept is a hotel-like sleeping pod on wheels

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Autonomous vehicles are still a somewhat controversial topic these days, but even detractors and critics will begrudgingly admit that it is the inevitable future. Given a foolproof and safe implementation, it opens up plenty of opportunities for people to do more during their travels, especially over very long distances. They can be more productive with work, spend more quality time with family, or simply get a good night’s sleep in transit. The latter isn’t exactly comfortable to do with today’s car designs, but that’s only if you don’t let go of current conventions and limitations. This design concept for a mobile sleeping pod, in contrast, pulls out all the stops and demonstrates what’s possible with the right technologies, the right design, and especially the right shape.

Designer: Peter Stulz

When viewed from its profile, the Swift Pod looks more like a gigantic motorcycle, a vehicle that stands on two wheels only. It’s definitely not your regular motorbike, even disregarding the significantly larger size, because it looks more like a cross between a bike and a car from the way it has a cabin instead of just a seat. When viewed from the top, however, the vehicle is revealed to actually run on three wheels, forming an odd triangle shape instead of a typical box you’d expect from cars.

The choice of the shape isn’t for appearance’s sake, though, but was made to maximize available space inside while minimizing the vehicle’s size. After all, the Swift Pod is designed to have two adult-sized beds inside, one on each side of the triangle, in addition to two chairs, amenities, and, of course, the vehicle’s actual hardware and components. The concept, after all, is for a mode of transportation that will let you sleep through your journey, at least if you want to. There’s plenty of space for two people to do anything, including working if necessary.

The concept was inspired by how some people are able to get a decent amount of sleep on trains and planes, and that’s without a comfortable bed or other conveniences. With Swift Pod, you not only have a comfortable place to recline but also an entertainment system, snacks and beverages, and plenty of storage for your belongings. What it doesn’t have room for is a human or physical driver.

The Swift Pod concept only works if autonomous driving has reached a point where one can really entrust their safety to these invisible drivers. The design envisions an extremely smart self-driving vehicle that, after booking a ride like a taxi, would be able to determine the best path toward your destination and navigate the roads safely. While the default is to simply go from point A to point B in one go, the system also has room for stop-over breaks where you can get off, eat some heavier meals, and freshen up before you take the next leg of your journey in the comfort of a bed.

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Polestar Passion-Sharer car concept can display any sky in its cramped cabin

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There are plenty of visions and concepts of self-driving cars in the distant future. Some of them retain the conventional seating arrangement inside, just without the steering wheel and with plenty of touch screens. Others turn all seats inward, inviting conversations and social connections while the robot inside the car safely takes you to your destination. There might be times, however, when you just want to sit back and relax, enjoying the skies while coasting the future’s highways. In that future, you might not even have to be limited to your own location and gaze upon the starry skies of Tokyo on your way to work in New York.

Designer: Xiqiao Wang

The majority of futuristic car concepts seem to be content with decking the dashboard and windows with screens, some of them interactive even. These utilize almost all visible sides of the car’s interior to maximize the number of things people can see and touch. Strangely enough, all these visions leave out the roof of the cabin plain and boring, almost like they were stuck in the 2000s, a limitation that this Passion-Sharer self-driving car wants to break free from.

Although mostly inspired by Polestar’s Precept in terms of the basic aesthetic, this concept almost takes the language to the extreme and squashes the car almost to a box. The Passion-Sharer has sharper lines and edges than a typical car, and its lowered cabin makes you wonder if there’s even space for human passengers.

The secret is that the seats are actually reclined so far back that they’re almost horizontal, an angle that is more associated with sleeping rather than riding a car. This odd position is all for the purpose of having a clear view of the tinted roof that acts as the only literal window to the outside world. Most of the time, however, the Passion-Sharer’s passengers will be viewing someone else’s sky, or at least that’s the idea.

The “sky screen,” as it is called, can display real-time views of another Passion-Sharer owner’s sky, which would make it feel like they’re sharing the same sky. That does require that there are other car owners in transit during that time, though it’s entirely possible to simply have recorded footage for convenience. Of course, that touch screen interface can be used for other purposes, and it might be the only interface available in this car anyway.

To some extent, this Polestar-inspired Passion-Sharer carries a lot more safety risks than other self-driving car concepts. Given the inclined seats and lack of other direct controls, it would be almost impossible for humans to intervene in case of an emergency. It is a concept that requires autonomous driving technologies to be perfected before people can peacefully enjoy a serene sky without minding the heavy traffic in front of them.

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Ford Clint self-driving car concept envisions more private carpooling

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Clint Future of Community

The discussion on the future of travel has always been open. It’s actually unclear since we still live in a pandemic world. But like anything, there are endless solutions to problems that often arise.

A young Polish industrial designer has recently introduced a design that may be considered by those who believe in carpooling. Mikołaj Nicer teamed up with Ford Europe to complete the design. The project was developed last year with the aim of improving the vehicle interior as a response to the time.

Designer: Mikolaj Nicer

Clint Ford Travel

Two years into this pandemic, people around the world are still thinking of ways how to improve everything in their life whether at home, for work, business, or even transportation. Moving from one point to another is still crucial. There are groups that still carpool but with social distancing still being encouraged, it’s important this part is considered.

For commuters, privacy is more important than ever. CLINT is a solution for people who want flexibility. Those who want privacy while still in a cramped space can trust the Clint to give them that.

Clint Car Travel InteriorThe CLINT is mainly a special design of a vehicle interior. It includes a separate entrance for every passenger. Every traveler is given the chance to spruce up the space for all your individual demands. The era of autonomous vehicles may still be in its early stages but it can be fun to imagine the possibilities. Commuters can find it helpful they can enjoy the interiors that suit their needs.

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The CLINT offers different modes. There is the Social Mode where all passengers can interact. The Pair Mode is for two people. The Privacy Mode is for those who really want to be alone and be separated from other passengers.

Clint Ford Social Mode 2

Clint Future of Commuting Pair

Vehicle interior design is promising. It’s being explored these days more than ever. There is a call to go smart and sustainable. But in this world where we’re getting used to not seeing people outside the comfort of our home, a bit of privacy matters.

Clint Ford Future of Commuting

Mikolaj Nicer’s design for the interior vehicle appears like a futuristic business class seat on your favorite airline. There’s also a small table where you can place your smartphone or laptop—just like inside the airplane.

Clint Design Future

The future of commuting will soon be transformed with innovations like this. Such give us hope of a future that is mindful of others’ privacy, protection, and purpose.

Clint Travel CarsClint Ford Design

Clint Future of Commuting and Travel

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Nuro next-gen self-driving delivery car will protect pedestrians with an old-fashioned airbag!

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Airbags have been cited to save the lives of people inside a car, and Nuro thinks they might also be able to save people outside of one.

Autonomous, self-driving cars have long been a dream of both car manufacturers as well as many drivers, but they also sound like the stuff of sci-fi horror for other people, especially those outside of the robot vehicle. Although it’s a long time coming, these driverless cars will eventually be found on highways as well as neighborhood streets, whether ferrying people or groceries. Nuro is more interested in the latter, and its latest prototype design makes a big commitment not just to the safety of people but also that of the environment.

Designer: Nuro

Nuro has been around for quite a while, but it might not be getting as much attention as self-driving cars from bigger brands like Tesla. That might be due to its focus on a very specific market for delivering goods, not humans, from the store to your doorstep. In a way, that also works in its favor because it can fine-tune its features and performance in ways that more general-purpose autonomous vehicles can’t.

For example, Nuro’s latest-gen version of its driverless R2 pod adds a new safety feature for pedestrians that sounds both absurd and genius in its simplicity. While it will try to avoid any accident as much as it can, it will also deploy an external airbag in front of the vehicle when it can’t. This is designed to help reduce the force of impact and hopefully reduce the number of injuries to pedestrians. That, of course, will still depend on how fast the vehicle was traveling in the first place, and this latest iteration can apparently go up to 45 mph.

Nuro is also making big promises when it comes to sustainability and protecting the environment. It will be impossible at this point to go all out on using renewable materials, but it will at least try to make sure to reduce its impact on the environment. More importantly, Nuro says that the new electric vehicle will use 100% renewable electricity from wind farms in Texas, reducing the carbon footprint even for day-to-day operations.

This third-gen autonomous delivery vehicle also has more space for groceries, food, and other items. Nuro says that all these upgrades are designed not just to make deliveries faster and more efficient but also to free up more time for humans to spend on more important things, like family and friends. That said, pre-production of the manufacturing facility that will make these driverless delivery robots has only just begun, so it might be a while before we see these on the road.

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This Volvo 360c gull-winged design is a practical vision of ultra-safe Level 5 autonomy

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A self-driving Volvo concept that focuses the lens on Level 5 autonomous driving while keeping the overall vehicle design clean and practical for urban commuting in peak traffic conditions.

While Elon Musk is targeting Level 5 autonomy for his fleet of electric cars, the probability of achieving that is highly unlikely in the next couple of years. This level of autonomous driving will only be possible when the other cars and the roads will have synchronous communication capabilities. A plausible idea that will give all the future-forward autonomous concept cars with no manual driving components a chance of fruition.

The Volvo 360c autonomous concept is a byproduct of that very vision. At the core will be an ultra-safe communication standard that enhances the spatial awareness of the vehicle. Volvo has been akin to the traffic safety standards ever since the introduction of the three-point safety belt in 1959, this concept makes even more sense for the brand.

According to the designer Ivan Marin Lopez, complete autonomous technology will not be an overnight change – rather it will be a gradual process that’ll take a significant amount of time. When the technology is fully proofed, autonomous cars like Volvo 360c concept will be able to tackle mixed traffic situations without any human intervention. Passenger safety is at the forefront here, and the car is loaded with advanced sensors to ensure it is ready for any unforeseen situation on the road.

The gull-winged 360c will have a clutter-free interior that focuses on passenger comfort and an air of openness with the panoramic glass windshield. The boxy design of the electric concept is dominated by a balanced proportion of design that takes into account the crowded city streets. This is truly a classy, compact and appealing Volvo hatchback of the future which keeps its limits to the practical realms of automotive design.

Designer: Ivan Marin Lopez

This fully autonomous car delivers luxury interiors that make traveling a relaxing experience

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Making a trip to the next big meeting or traveling to your loved ones is more than just starting at point A and reaching point B. We live in times where multitasking and squeezing out the most productive moments in life is of value. That’s why concept vehicle designers emphasize the interior ambiance and the minimal yet highly functional aspect of futuristic commuters. The exponential rate at which technology upgrades lends designers the freedom to conjure up designs that are well worthy of a sci-fi movie.

GAC 2030 U- journey by transportation designer Ray Lyu from the central academy of fine arts Beijing, China, is the perfect example. As the name implies, this desirable concept car envisions transportation in the year 2030 (which is not that far off) dominated by autonomous vehicles that’ll be mostly powered by clean energy. The self-driving feature of the future cars gives the designer leverage to maximize interior space for lounging, working, or socializing with close ones. Furthermore, this concept car influences oriental beauty in the interiors that are calming and decluttered for complete peace of mind. A perfect haven on the road for sustaining the right state of mind when you’re working on the go or simply want some time out from a busy lifestyle.

Ray’s design centers around the cozy interiors that feel like home – with a comfy lounge seating at the rear and a movable lounge seat that can be oriented in any direction and place. To the front is the working space with a low height table for placing a laptop or journal. On the outside, GAC impresses without question owing to its flowing design highlighted by the cool white tone with a tinge of subtle cool blues giving it a sexy future-worthy personality. In addition, the semi-transparent panoramic windshield glass brings an airy character to the rental ride, well complemented by the unibody design tires. And what can I say about the door opening mechanism? It is pure genius to have on a modern vehicle like this.

GAC’s design is not just a mere digital contraption, as Ray has created a scale model of the 2030 car, and I appreciate the attention to detail put in it. Overall, this concept is a very balanced design not going down the infeasible realms, which can be overdone. A big thumbs up to Ray for GAC 2030 U- journey!

Designer: Ray Lyu