THE PERSONAL DRIVER
It won’t be long before cars become self-driving, transforming the way we commute while forging a new relationship between driver and vehicle. While this disruptive technology will revolutionize both vehicles and the automotive industry, the first (semi) self-driving cars still adhere to the design principles of their combustion-powered predecessors. The Personal Driver questions how we might design cars if they no longer have to look like cars any more, and how this transition will forge new interactions between humans and vehicles?
As car ownership becomes obsolete - with shared vehicles available anytime and anywhere - the car’s role as a status symbol will also fade. Vehicles could adopt a neutral, rectangular design that accommodates new types of use. Constructed from mirroring materials, these objects would reflect their surroundings, blending seamlessly with the environment rather than attracting attention. As the need for a human driver disappears, cars could evolve into chameleon-like spaces that adapt to passengers’ needs. Interiors would no longer be static; instead, they could become dynamic environments, evolving to suit various activities such as sleeping, working, or relaxing.
These changes are a logical result of the disruptive waves powered by driverless technology, offering a visual answer to questions we will inevitably face in the near future.
graduation ● Design Academy Eindhoven
infographic ● evolution of personal vehicles