Student designer
Product design, HMI design, AI
2024
As urban mobility shifts toward full autonomy, the next-generation robotaxi must address user expectations for private, personalized commuting, flexible group travel, and seamless multi-modal interaction in the absence of a human driver.
1. Private and Personalized Commute Experience, passenger <2
-Offer a 2-seat cabin layout to enhance spatial comfort
-Enable full customization of interior ambiance
-Support intermediate stop points along the route
2. Flexible and Collaborative Group Travel
-Allow multi-user control and in-cabin collaboration features for group interaction
-Real-time destination changes, open-ended plans (e.g., “the shopping mall” rather than a fixed address)
-Provide fine-grained drop-off options, to compensate for the absence of driver intuitionImplementation of feedback
3. Context-Aware Human-Vehicle Communication
-Integrate multi-modal input methods mainly voice commands
-Deliver immediate and clear system feedback to ensure trust and control in autonomous decision-making.
Considering the spatial interior, the forward cockpit is designed to be a layout that pairs a panoramic display with a seat-side control panel to optimize both immersion and accessibility. This configuration enables passengers to stay comfortably seated while intuitively interacting with key functions throughout the journey.
From the moment the ride begins, passengers are greeted with a clear, intuitive route visualization on the central display. Unlike conventional rideshare experiences, this robotaxi is guided by AI-enhanced navigation that adapts in real time to user input. Passengers can modify their route at any point—via voice or a connected app—enabling spontaneous detours or added stops.
As the vehicle approaches its destination, the system proactively prompts the user to confirm or adjust the exact drop-off point, mimicking the natural dialogue of a human driver. This approach blends autonomy with user agency, offering both confidence and comfort in dynamic urban environments.
In broad or complex areas—such as commercial districts or large malls—precise addresses are often unknown or unhelpful. This feature enables passengers to engage with the AI mid-journey using natural language to refine or discover their destination. For instance, a user might say, “Show us some Korean restaurants near the church with a rating above 4.7,” and receive curated options directly on the display.
Rather than relying on pre-set locations, the system responds dynamically—adapting the route and offering intelligent suggestions based on real-time context, group preferences, and intent-rich voice commands. This transforms passive navigation into a collaborative experience, empowering flexible and spontaneous trip planning.
In dense urban settings like Los Angeles—where curbside pickups, airport terminals, or temporary loading zones demand precision—the robotaxi enables passengers to give natural, scene-based parking instructions. Using a shared visual interface, the system aligns with what the user sees.
A command like “Park behind the green car” is understood through real-time scene interpretation, allowing the vehicle to respond safely and accurately. This intuitive, context-aware communication mirrors the flexibility of speaking to a human driver, offering passengers greater control and confidence in complex or changing environments.
To support emotional comfort and cognitive rest during autonomous travel, the robotaxi features an Immersive Mode—a customizable in-cabin experience that transforms the vehicle into a calming, responsive environment. Passengers can select themes like “Forest” or “Valley,” activating synchronized ambient visuals, soundscapes, and mood lighting.
The AI further enhances this by adjusting settings based on user preferences or contextual factors such as time of day. In the absence of a driver, Immersive Mode creates a sense of sanctuary—ideal for unwinding after work, meditating during long commutes, or simply disconnecting during solo rides.
This reimagines the vehicle not just as a means of transportation, but as a personal well-being space.
While the robotaxi design is optimized as a 2-seat vehicle—reflecting the common reality of solo or duo urban commutes—it also supports seamless group coordination through Digital Convoy. When multiple robotaxis are requested together, the vehicles maintain contextual awareness of one another, enabling synchronized travel for groups.
Whether it’s friends heading to a concert, tourists exploring a city, or families split across cars, passengers remain connected through real-time location sharing and visual updates. The vehicles intelligently follow one another when possible, simplifying coordination and enhancing the shared experience across separate cabins.Crew Mode addresses the social disconnect of individual pods, ensuring that autonomous travel remains collective, not isolating.
Instructors: Jae S.Min & Trevor Greenleaf
Sponser: Charles Feng, Head of Design, Didi Chuxing China
Teammates: Yunran Zhang, Rowan Tuttle, Yixiang Yuan, Qinwen Feng