As the focus shifts from the driver to the journey with autonomous vehicles, cars will become a mobile space with a strong focus on interior design and well-being, according to Klaus Zyciora, Head of Volkswagen Group Design. As the development of autonomous vehicles starts to accelerate, interior design will play a much bigger role in the future of cars.
Volkswagen Group’s GEN.TRAVEL is an innovative design study that will redefine the long-distance mobility of the future. The all-electric Innovation Experience Vehicle (IEV) is a real prototype that drives autonomously (Level 5) and represents a totally new vehicle category in the premium portfolio between limousine and MPV (multi-purpose vehicle). The modular interior concept makes the GEN.TRAVEL a flexible, sustainable Mobility as a Service alternative to short-haul flights.
Working, sleeping, entertainment. The GEN.TRAVEL has a unique, modular interior concept that can be customized as required for each journey and booked as a Mobility as a Service offering. Depending on the configuration, up to four people can be transported in the concept vehicle.
The interior is bright and naturally designed. Neutral colors reflect the spectrum of the interior lighting concept, ranging from warm to cool tones. The covering of large surfaces with natural elements creates a feeling of luxury. All HMI (Human-Machine Interface) elements are made from sustainable materials such as copper, combined with recycled or natural raw materials such as felt or karuun – a rattan material that can be filled with conductive liquid for functional surfaces of HMI elements. 3D knitting technology is used for the seat covers, and the partition between the comfortable seats is produced using 3D printing.
“The GEN.TRAVEL offers us a glimpse of the travel of the future,” explained Klaus Zyciora, Head of Volkswagen Group Design. “It shows us what autonomous driving will look like in the future. The GEN.TRAVEL embodies the visionary design of beyond tomorrow for the mobility of tomorrow. Efficient shaping characterizes the extremely distinctive design. Thus, in an age of technical perfection and virtually unlimited possibilities, ‘form follows function’ becomes ‘form follows freedom.’ The automobile will not only be better, but also more exciting than ever before.”
The interior of the GEN.TRAVEL is free of displays and most normally seen interfaces. Instead, it focuses on voice control and displays information via AR glasses. The GEN.TRAVEL further introduces the ‘Cursor,’ the only device in the entire car (besides the emergency button) located in the middle console that can adjust Volume, seat position, and temperature settings, and ‘Luna,’ the digital onboard assistant on the dashboard, which moves from left to right during the journey to visualize progress.
Images: Courtesy of Volkswagen Group
