ARC The Augmented Reality Car
Generation Y consumers continue to express diminished interest, forcing a reconsideration of what consumers want to do in and with their cars. How can an autonimous vehicle cater to these experiences and how does it change to be able to deliverboth active (driven) and autonomous (undriven) capabilities? The ARC interactive augmented reality car is designed to capture the imagination of today’s generation Y by appealing to their demands for a connected and personalised world and blurs the boundaries between the real world and the virtual one through embracing social networking and gaming.
Inspiration
The Brief
Social
Interactive
Modern
Sketch development
Exterior Design
ARCs primary feature is the Smartscreen, the traditional windscreen and windows of a car have been replaced by a laminate screen consisting of a transparent LCD screen sandwiched between an outer layer of toughened transparent polymer and an inner touch sensitive layer. The Smartscreen allows both driver and passengers to change their view on the outside world, either by supplementing it with information or replacing it with simulation. Combined with simulator seats that provide shocks and vibrations the user can be totally immersed within the ARC experience regardless of how mundane or well known a journey might be. When travelling in ARC the users are presented with three modes, Live, Relax and GAME!
Interior Design
In Live mode the driver is in control of ARC and the Smartscreen only presents them with useful non distracting information such as that relating to navigation and safety. Away from the drivers line of site the passengers are able to access a wider variety of functions as if operating in Relax mode.
In Relax mode ARC is autonomous and controls retract into the dashboard. All passengers have access to the full array of options provided by the Smartscreen including an interactive frame that can provide film, TV, web browsing or even a mirror with a simple gesture. In addition to this the view from within ARC can be supplemented with local information, synced with social networking sites to allow photos and statuses to be viewed in situ or even enhanced with themes to change and excite the appearance of the environment they are travelling through. All this is comes with adaptable lighting and reclining seats that can provide a comfortable sleeping position and a variety of massage functions.
Lastly GAME! mode uses the simulator seats and the Smartscreen to provide a realistic gaming experience where users can find themselves fully immersed in a gaming environment or even pitted against other ARC users in driving simulations or epic tank battles that use real local geography and location for added intimacy.