Documentation_IxR_Lewandowski

IxR
Interaction Design
Idea development
Concept 1: An universal design element.
The research on Mobility as a Service concept showed that the vehicles won’t belong to the users
in the future, but instead the user will call and use a vehicle service only on demand. The idea of
personalization of experiences inside of vehicles offered an opportunity to develop a universal
design element. The element is the only part of the vehicle the user owns. It represents the
connection between smart car and smart home. The special universal design tool supports users
in accomplishing their special tasks and supporting their special needs. It is simple and intuitive in
operation, consistent in design and supportive through the AI assistance. The universal design tool
can be anything: a smartphone app, a steering wheel, a diamond, a drone, an e-tattoo or a
modular element.
Concept 2: Supportive technologies
The concept was created for public transportation purposes or Mobility as a Service concepts.
A universal design environment inside of an autonomous vehicle with different technologies was
proposed in order to support every disability. The basic vehicle interior with accessible elements like
ramp, rails and a rotating stage was created for an easy access and convenience. The interior
supports different disabilities with different technologies: voice recognition, eye tracking, haptic
feedback, gesture recognition and emotion detection.
UNIVERSAL ELEMENT
SMART HOME
SMART CAR
There was a need for the universal design tool to have an environment to control. It was defined
that it has to be surrounded by five different layers: Car interior architecture, infotainment,
CAR INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE entertainment, features and smart
INFO- / ENTERTAINMENT
devices and a seat. The five layers
FEATURES / SMART DEVICES
Co
have to be designed to fit to the
SEAT / CHAIR Co
nc
nc
USER
eppurpose of the universal design
ep
t 2tool, a so called sixth element.
t 1
However the concept was refused.
The tool would be most certainly a
communication and navigation tool.
That wouldn’t solve the accessibility
THE SIXT
ELEMENT
problem of people in wheelchairs.
36
The concept is technology oriented and not user oriented. The smart devices couldn’t support all
disabilities. “One solution fits all” is a very expensive one if all the technologies would have been
built inside of one single vehicle. The lecture by Daniel Rosenberg and the interpretation from Paul
Pangaro helped to understand that looking for a single product solution can lead to a restriction of
user’s opportunities. Since the designer was looking for a product solution, the questions asked in
the interviews weren’t helpful and were misleading. “Creating an environment for user to create”
was an inspiring insight and led to further concept development.
Sofia Lewandowski | MFA Interaction Design | College for Creative Studies | Detroit