share on BufferThe Royal College of Art Vehicle Design programme held its annual degree show earlier this summer, showcasing the thesis projects of the 20 graduating MA students and one PhD student. The exhibition featured diverse projects ranging from inner-city vehicles to a mega yacht.
Below we present the first group of projects. Also visit the extensive gallery with over 80 images. Check back this Monday for Part 2.
Pure Light by Lena Knab
As life in the tier-one cities becomes increasingly stressful, people are actively seeking new ways to relax and eco-luxury is rising. This was the premise for Knab’s four-person premium vehicle concept for the Chinese market.
Inspired by Taoism, the vehicle uses super-conducting magnetic levitation technology to help alleviate stress; the floating feeling, the ease of movement and silence are key elements to create mental space. The idea of light as a calming factor is introduced by hologram technology.
Spectra by Teeravit Hanharutaivan
Hanharutaivan’s Spectra concept aims to solve the sound experience issue in electric vehicles. By capturing the Doppler effect from Formula One cars and translating the results into a form, the sound influences the way the vehicle looks – bringing it into the design process, visualizing and creating form from the sound spectrum.
The hyper electric vehicle also breaks the boundary between car and motorbike with a new seating position and steering system.
Lexus ie by Goran Ozbolt
The Lexus ie concept was a Toyota sponsored project, designed to stimulate future luxury customers. By conducting research into what the future of luxury will be, Ozbolt created a compact vehicle, which aims to offer users the luxury they desire whilst positively influencing the environment around them.
The concept includes distorted glass to make the cabin – inspired in part by Japanese stone gardens – appear visually larger.
Honda EUT (Exciting Urban Transport) by Chi Min Hwang
The Honda EUT (Exciting Urban Transport) aims to cater to urban commuters. The single seat electric vehicle, which is extremely lightweight thanks to an aluminum and carbon fiber frame (inspired by bicycle frames), optimizes efficiency and driving pleasure by employing a minimalist design.
The vehicle features in-wheel electric motors and a glass canopy to optimize visibility. Its transparent floor section and semi-open areas in the front and rear further emphasize the thrill of driving.
Glitch by Adam Setter
Setter’s ‘Glitch’ project was created using an app called Trimensional and his iPhone camera. Setter scanned in printed images instead of objects and refined the 3D data to make the proportion of the vehicle.
Once this process was complete, he designed the rest of the car around the core volume. Setter says did not set out with a vehicle typology in mind in an attempt to prove that not knowing where you are going can yield great results.
Power of Zero by Henry Cloke
The ‘Power of Zero’ concept was designed around the forthcoming eco city being built in Abu Dhabi. With two large wheels mounted within casings and powered by two electric motors on either end of a central tunnel that contains batteries and a self-balancing gyroscope, the concept features hammock style seating for tow occupants.
The shared vehicle concept – akin to London’s ‘Boris bikes’ or Paris’ Velib bicycle hire scheme – folds flat and is stored in a sphere when not in use.
(continues to Part 2)
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