Two decades ago, an all-electric vehicle was a faraway – and likely impossible thought – for the average person. Now, electric cars, trucks and buses are commonplace. 

The Hex Pod designed by third-year industrial design student Jimmy Tran. Photo/provided.

Fast forward to 2040, and the next evolution in transportation, say experts and students in UC’s industrial design program, will be the self-driving vehicle; and at UC, they are using VR technology to perfect the design process. 

“It (VR design) was a little bit of a learning curve at the beginning, but it was amazing once you understand it,” says third year industrial design student Jimmy Tran whose design for the Canoo Hex Pod was featured in a WVXU “Focus on Technology” segment.  

“When I was a student, it really took me about three years to be at a level where I was competent in transportation design, but these students pick it up in a month,” using VR software, says Alejandro Lozano Robledo who oversees UC’s Future Mobility Design Lab at the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning.

His third-year industrial design students are among the first here to use the VR software and headsets provided by the VR software developer Gravity Sketch. This software, Robledo says, allows students to mockup designs for something as large as a vehicle “in a matter of hours and understand the size and scale more quicky.” 

Third-year industrial design student Kate Faas takes a VR tour of Toyoko in the autonomous hotel pod she designed in the Future Mobility Design Lab at DAAP. Photo/Koenig

“It’s a tool that helps you to visualize in 3D before you have a physical 3D model,” and shaves years off the old school design process of sketching on paper, says Matt Whitby, the Gravity Sketch representative on hand at the end of semester exhibit: Autonomous Journey in 2040.

The premise of the project was 20 years out, with each student designing a mobility solution in one of four cities: Tokyo, Shanghai, New York, or Los Angeles. The Hex Pod, for example, is designed for solitary use, which could be an advantage should there be another pandemic.   

“Partnering with companies like Gravity Sketch is a valuable part of our process,” to train the next generation of transportation designers, Robledo says, explaining that DAAP students go on to co-op for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers and will become leaders in transportation design.

Listen to the WVXU interview.

Featured image at top is the 2D model of Kate Faas's hotel pod, called "Saya."   

The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.

From the moment she was surprised on Decision Day with admittance to the University of Cincinnati, Lachelle Dixon was ready to move on from high school and start the next chapter of her life at UC.

WVXU highlights a demonstration project led by the University of Cincinnati to find low-cost ways to improve the health of urban streams. The project aims to increase biodiversity by providing more wildlife habitat.

The University of Cincinnati's Shana Feibel was featured in a Parade article about the benefits of fidget toys to cope with anxiety and depression.

University of Cincinnati 2600 Clifton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45220 513-556-0000

University of Cincinnati | 2600 Clifton Ave. | Cincinnati, OH 45221 | ph: 513-556-6000

Alerts | Clery and HEOA Notice | Notice of Non-Discrimination | eAccessibility Concern | Privacy Statement | Free Speech | Copyright Information

University of Cincinnati 2600 Clifton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45220 513-556-0000