Autonomous Vehicle
Re-Design
Spring 2019 [Autodesk Fusion 360]
Click here to view this project post on Autodesk Gallery
As an exploration of the possibilities that can come with the introduction of autonomous technologies, this project was my capstone in high school. The problem with most autonomous concept cars is this: There are many concepts that allow the driver to take control of the car if they want, and there are also plenty of concepts for social or abnormal seating configurations (ex. rear-facing seats, inward-facing benches, or laying down), but very few which give the passenger a choice to change seating during a trip. I enabled this through a redesign of the typical interior of a vehicle.
It is important to note that this concept is all-electric with the assumption that the technologies in this vehicle will be developed in the near future.
Video Temporarily Unavailable
Dynamic Design
The presentation of this project was intended to display the various positions for the seating arrangements as well as the movement of the seats in the process. The video shows how the seats are able to move with passengers on board without interfering with their comfort.
Body Sculpting
The body of this vehicle is modeled after a Range Rover with an extension in the front windshield. I chose to model a luxury vehicle as I intended this car to have a high-end feel as these technologies would likely be expensive for an average vehicle.
Design Choices
As popularized by Tesla, a skateboard automotive design is used to enclose all critical components of the vehicle within the drive base. This allows for a more customized vehicle body and more room inside the vehicle.
I also positioned the driver seat in the middle of the vehicle. This is common practice for race cars, and it allows the seats to have more room for rotation while the vehicle is in motion. It also enables this vehicle to be sold globally without excessive modification.
Versatile Arrangements
These four arrangements were discussed as the most useful seating scenarios which are possible with the cars design. The idea of center facing passengers is allowed by the autonomous capabilities of he vehicle, as well as a sleeping position for longer or overnight trips.
1:1 Scale Mock-up
I utilized a full-scale mock-up of the seating position and vehicle parameters to ensure that the seating arrangements are not only possible but comfortable for the passengers.
Physical Prototyping
This wood model was a tool used to explore the specific movements required to change the seating arrangements without causing discomfort to seated passengers. I was able to cut grooves to ensure the movement of the passengers was accurate.