How can you design better electric and autonomous vehicles?

Vehicle weight and structural safety is key. While not sacrificing structural nor safety integrity, modern metals have been able to reduce BIW mass by over an amazing 27%. At the same time, the crash performace tests have increased results18% higher than just two decades ago (ie; roll-over test with stregth of A-Plr or side impact tests). Hot Forming (Press Hardening) has been instrumental in this BIW evelotion by processing metals that change their structure from austine to a martinsite. Currently, cars produced have about 17% structural HS (Hot Stamped) parts on average. Only fifteen years ago it was less that 5%.

Think about the user experience: What do people want from an electric or autonomous vehicle? How can you design a vehicle that is easy to use and enjoyable to ride in? Consider the future: What trends will shape the transportation landscape in the coming years? How can you design a vehicle that is ready for the future? Be innovative: Don't be afraid to think outside the box and come up with new and innovative designs. The electric and autonomous vehicle market is still young, and there are many opportunities to create new and exciting products.

We need to get to a vehicle that you fill with water, the roof is a solar panel which converts the water to H2 and water comes out the exhaust, end of. H2 is infinite, we just need to find ways to capture and use it. Batteries are finite and focus needs to change to H2.

There are varying demographics of users, some are welcoming of the change and are keen to try, some are hesitant to move from what works for them already and there are a lot of them in between these both extremes. It very important to understand these sentiments and approach the change to address broader range of people.

Carmakers have been struggling for decades to fully satisfy customer needs and expectations. Their leaders are well aware, but the answers are extremely challenging. In my opinion the bottleneck isn’t in the design, engineering, nor product planning departments (although all of them can and should be improved upon). The real issue is the kind of strategic bets that could unleash a new era of automobile. Reinventing organizations, rethinking missions, developing technology standards together, thinking of products as platforms (the Google way). Infrastructure, basic enabling tech, and broader strategic perspectives (I recall De Meo declaring that Renault is to become an energy and services company) I believe are necessary to move forward.

We are living an era of car styling stagnation, most cars can’t be told apart, and very few cars have an aesthetic that will withstand the test of time. Some brands sell to customers who seek functionality, some who seek looks: both are valid selling points. I don’t think extra sensors impacts that. On the other hand extra tech adds development and unit cost, which needs to be offset with grave cost reductions (hence the cheaper interior trims, for instance). Carmakers have also failed to capture the opportunity to radically rethink vehicle architectures thanks to electric powertrains. It’s understandable as making unconventional shapes look beautiful is extremely challenging (mca with the smart ForTwo being a rare example).

what if the EVs and autonomous vehicles could change forms with respect to functions with just a touch of a button or by itself ... a vehicle which drives on highway changes to an off-roader, or becomes more aerodynamic at higher speeds.....if this were to be done 50 years back then could have been a mess with some crazy mechanisms and compromise in the functionality of vehicle as there were so many parts and compactness in the components packaging ... but now with the sensor driven data, AI capability, energy regeneration methods, adaptive systems, material innovations.. list is endless!...spaces will become a changeable parameter .... i think the future vehicles are going to be a lot more utility ones than the current specific types.

The best thing we can while trying to embrace the idea of reduce our impact in transportation is to make More efficient products, and it’s not only to increase the range, it’s important to consume less! And the way to achieve this is to work in between the actions, for example to be more aerodynamic, reaching some goals at the same time. The other relevant thing is to be included in the circular economy practices , which provides materials with less carbon footprint impact, reduce waste and takes people from bad situations.

We need to get to a vehicle that you fill with water, the roof is a solar panel which converts the water to H2 and water comes out the exhaust, end of. H2 is infinite, we just need to find ways to capture and use it. Batteries are finite and focus needs to change to H2.