As we look ahead, urban transportation is about to change a lot. The GAC GYRO Concept is a cutting-edge project in city transport, bringing in a new fully self-driving and shared city car. It's made with a focus on user experience and inspired by Mobility As A Service (MAAS). This article explores the innovative Layered City concept envisioned by a 24-year-old Transportation Design graduate from Spain. Additionally, it explores the groundbreaking design principles that underpin the GAC GYRO, shedding light on how this innovative approach seeks to address and solve everyday mobility challenges in urban environments.
The GYRO Concept for GAC imagines a future where cities are designed uniquely. It suggests dividing cities into layers. The top layer is for people to walk around freely, away from traffic. This gives more space for pedestrians. The layers below use both upper and lower areas for cars. These cars can recharge their batteries while moving, with the help of magnetic technology.
Imagine the idea like the movie Minority Report from 2002. In this vision, cars can move horizontally on special layers and even go up and down buildings like elevators. This makes picking up and dropping off passengers very efficient. This GAC GYRO Concept aims to make city life simpler and more enjoyable.
GAC GYRO Concept follows a product design approach
The exterior design of the GAC GYRO Concept is carefully crafted with a product design philosophy, emphasizing geometric simplicity and functionality. One of the standout features is the ability of the vehicle to rotate, a key design element that adds a remarkable level of versatility. This rotation capability allows the GAC GYRO concept to navigate not only on conventional horizontal surfaces but also on both lower and upper levels, as well as vertical surfaces, such as the sides of buildings.
A significant advantage of this design is that it manages to maintain the stability of the central cabin despite the vehicle's ability to move in different directions. This stability is crucial for passenger comfort and safety during the vehicle's unconventional movements. The result is a form that aligns with the practical aspects of the vehicle contributing to a sleek and efficient aesthetic. The emphasis on geometric simplicity ensures that the GAC GYRO Concept is not only visually appealing but also optimized for functionality. By featuring only essential elements, the design facilitates seamless navigation across the envisioned layers of future cities.
A Distinctive Double Bench Arrangement In The Interior
The interior design of the GAC GYRO Concept is marked by a distinctive double bench arrangement, featuring simple and conical shapes. This innovative design is divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, each serving a specific purpose. The upper part functions as a headrest, the middle part serves as a comfortable seat, and the lower section is designated as a luggage storage compartment.
Adding a touch of modernity and connectivity to the interior, a display screen is seamlessly integrated into the design. This screen unfolds from behind the headrest, providing passengers with a comprehensive infotainment system. Passengers can use the screen to access essential journey information, creating a user-friendly interface for navigation and trip details. The whole system is designed to connect seamlessly with the passengers' devices, offering a range of functionalities.
Moreover, the display screen can be adjusted to offer fully immersive experiences. This includes options for content viewing, making the ride more enjoyable, and even facilitating video calls, adding a layer of connectivity to the travel experience. The adaptability of the screen allows passengers to customize their in-car environment, whether they prefer a focused and minimalist display for essential information or a more engaging and interactive interface for entertainment and communication.
The efficient vertical movement for passenger accessibility in urban spaces
The GAC GYRO Concept employs a unique method to smoothly transition between lower and upper surfaces within the envisioned transport layers. This is achieved through the strategic placement of semicircular columns distributed throughout the transport layer. These columns facilitate the movement of the vehicle between different levels, ensuring a seamless and efficient transition process.
During this transition, the central cabin of the GAC GYRO remains horizontal and undergoes a 180-degree rotation to face the direction of motion. This rotational capability enables the vehicle to adapt to changes in surface orientation, maintaining stability and comfort for passengers throughout the journey. The use of semicircular columns, in combination with the rotational feature, allows the GAC GYRO to navigate the various layers of the urban environment with agility and precision.
For passenger pick-up and drop-off, the GAC GYRO takes a distinctive approach. The vehicle is designed to climb vertically up building walls, utilizing its unique features to fold toward the wall during ascent and unfold for passenger access at the desired level. Once passengers are inside, the vehicle smoothly returns to its standard ride configuration, providing a secure and comfortable environment for the remainder of the journey.
Conclusion
The GAC GYRO Concept offers us a sneak peek into the boundless potential of future transportation, envisioning a landscape where different vehicles are crafted to meet the specific demands of users within a constantly evolving urban setting. By harnessing cutting-edge technologies like electric propulsion, wireless charging, and artificial intelligence, this concept holds the promise of substantially cutting down travel durations, reducing the overall volume of vehicles on the streets, and mitigating the challenges posed by urban traffic congestion. In doing so, it aspires to play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future for our cities.
About the Designer
Carlos Oliver Craviotto is a 24-year-old graduate in Transportation Design from Spain. With a background in industrial design, he strives to create designs that prioritize functionality, aiming to solve user problems while maintaining a balance with the aesthetics and dynamism that distinguish transportation design from other products. Having recently completed a master's degree in Transportation Design at the Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan, Italy, Carlos is eager to transition into the Automotive Design Industry. His goal is to continue learning from professionals and to apply his ideas and creativity to real projects.