LA Design Challenge 2014: Peterbilt Motors Symbiotux Concept

Concept Cars 4 Dec 2014

Peterbilt Motors’ entry for this year’s LA Design Challenge is a transportation concept that explores the future of human machine interfaces for both truck drivers and passengers.

Below we report the official description and the project’s main design panels.

The future of transportation will be dominated by a transformational shift that will see vehicles operating together in truly symbiotic relationships. Vehicles linked via advanced sensing, computing, and communication technologies will travel together in close proximity to improve efficiency, safety, wellness, and travel enjoyment.

An important part of this transformation will be the role of the “truck driver,” which will grow in stature and esteem (similar to that of an airplane pilot). Leading groups of vehicles, this next generation driver will safeguard passengers and cargo in the group and will ultimately serve as the foundation of modern transportation.

The changing roles of passengers and road pilots will transform how these players interface and interact with their vehicles and one another.

Building on the lessons of strong human relationships, Peterbilt’s designers believe that these symbiotic vehicular relationships will center on enhanced awareness, excellent communication, and shared action. SymbiotUX, (pronounced “Symbiotics”), is a design concept that explores and illustrates how human machine interfaces will be transformed by this future reality.

The road pilot will have greater responsibility; therefore, the spaces and interfaces of a vehicle in “pilot mode” will be purpose-driven to enhance pilot capabilities. These enhanced pilot capabilities will give passengers the security and confidence to enjoy and utilize the full range of activities that SymbiotUX “passenger mode” can afford.