This concept traces the development of a novel car architecture and its intelligent articulated chassis through a series of design explorations using parametric and model building iterations. The relationship between driver and passenger is the key element for the basic vehicle configuration. The designs explore the possibility of a smart, adaptable chassis architecture that allows for steering and banking through a series of articulated and actuated joints that replace the static frame of today’s cars.

Through the series of design developments a new chassis type, “the H-type” was created, using the BMW skateboard as inspiration. After a number of brainstorming sessions, the concept developed into the notion of a fully articulated platform that allows two drivers to collaboratively control the vehicle. The distinction between driver and passenger disappears; driving becomes a partnership or even a team sport.

The seating acts as the input for the control of the vehicle and responds by banking into the turns in order to convey the feeling of the driving forces. A core aspect of the articulated car is the mapping of the movement of the drivers onto the skeleton of the car to allow for dance like collaborative driving. The movement of legs and arms is be used as driving input based on a special seat that senses the movement and translates it into control output for the eightjoints of the vehicle. Several movements were analyzed to study the range of motion for controlling the car.

The usual way to make a fun automobile is to put excessive horsepower into a high-performance body and to burn a lot of gasoline. We provide thrills in a different, subtler, more environmentally reasonable way. By closely coupling bodily motion with vehicular motion, and by making driving a more sensuous experience, we squeeze the maximum amount of thrill out of the minimum amount of energy. Our cars are lightweight, and –like surfboards and rollerblades– they don’t actually have to go very fast to provide the sensation of graceful, joyous, exciting motion.