Sustainable and continuously adapting car interior and interfaces

Cars are integral to daily life worldwide, especially in the US, where over 86% of workers commute by car, spending an average of 13 hours weekly in their vehicles. As car technology rapidly evolves, becoming more self-driving, internet-connected, and electric, the activities performed inside cars are also changing. People now use cars for entertainment, eating, office work, and even exercise. Consequently, automotive interiors must adapt to accommodate these diverse activities. Recognizing this, BMW tasked a team of graduate students from Stanford and TU Delft to envision the future of transportation, focusing on automotive interiors 10-15 years from now. The project emphasizes the use of renewable materials and AI as design tools to create innovative, smart, and sustainable automotive interiors.
The team began by projecting 20 years into the future, imagining solutions like re-configurable cars and vehicles integrated with homes. However, they refocused on a 10-15 year horizon, using AI to generate new automotive interior concepts. While the AI-generated images were interesting, they were impractical, prompting the team to undertake a need-finding journey. This involved understanding users’ needs to address real-world problems effectively.
The team interviewed a diverse range of users, including commuters, families with children, RV users, and the elderly with limited mobility. Interviews with RV users revealed needs such as additional storage, children’s entertainment options, cleaning and maintenance solutions, educational travel information, and secure storage for valuables. Discussions with BMW users highlighted issues like vehicle entry and exit difficulties, the inefficiency of the 3-point seat belt system, and visual obstructions caused by car body parts. Users expressed a desire for enhanced physical and visual comfort, greater freedom of movement, and a more ergonomic and flexible interior space.
Based on these insights, the team developed early-stage concept prototypes, including a soft-robotic deployable seat-belt system and a see-through A-pillar system. Additionally, they envisioned a future where autonomous vehicle interiors transform journeys into destinations. Their goal was to design a car interior that adapts to diverse user needs, allowing for various in-car activities.
The team developed MorphLock to meet the needs of the user. MorphLock takes advantage of the particle jamming technology to create a shape-morphing malleable surface that can also act as a universal holder to adapt to the user’s various needs. MorphLock is also able to return to its original shape when not used to keep the car aesthetic. It consists of particle cells made from recyclable Ecoflex 00-30 silicone rubber filled with coffee grounds, control electronics with relays and pressure sensors, and an air pneumatic system with a vacuum pump and air blower. This system reduces the number of actuating components, thereby cutting costs and saving space.
MorphLock allows users to dynamically reconfigure their car interiors, holding essential items securely and offering increased mobility and effortless transitions between activities. This innovative design caters to the well-being and convenience of passengers, ensuring a more enjoyable and stress-free journey. By integrating smart technology and sustainable materials, the team’s prototype not only meets current user needs but also anticipates future demands, reimagining the driving experience for the years to come.