‘Jumper-starting’ a Revolution in Car Design
Knitted car seat covers might be the worst Christmas present ever. But coupled with 3D technology they could one day integrate driver controls, check your health and even charge your phone.
Think 3D printing with wool, polyester or even silk and you have a finished design that fits like a glove, or better than a glove, because there are no seams to snag or fray. It also opens up a whole world of personalisation.
3D knitting is just one example of “Human-Centric Design” – an ethos that from the first sketch to the final product and beyond has the comfort and convenience of the end users – in this case drivers and passengers – front of mind. We’re also exploring how a 360° sketching tool puts designers in the driver’s seat from the very first drawing.
Amko Leenarts, director, Design, Ford of Europe
“Human-centric design is all about inspiration, ideation and making. It begins from our first thought and can, with the new technologies we are exploring, harness that first thought so it can be more effectively shared with others – as a 360° sketch. It is a philosophy that runs through the ability to specify details that can be perfectly tailored to everyone inside the car, whatever their specific needs and desires.”
3D knitting
Employing production techniques found in the manufacture of running shoes, clothing and furniture, 3D knitting could enable customers to design their own seat covers, add bespoke touches such as pockets and padding, and use more breathable materials for summer.
Customers could have the option of different covers on the front and rear seats, a set featuring designs for children or rear-seat covers made especially for pets. Use materials that conduct electricity and drivers could open a window, make a call, or be alerted to a health issue – simply through contact with a cover that could benefit recycling and reduce waste.
360° sketching
Traditionally, designers have produced 2D interior sketches that are then recreated as 3D computer-aided design (CAD) models. We’re now using a tool that enables designers to imagine and share drawings that can immediately be experienced from the driver’s point of view, or from anywhere inside the car, in 3D or in virtual reality.
Rendering the interior in such a way makes it far easier to identify improvements to the height and width of seats, check the visibility for rear passengers, change the size and placement of roof console elements, and experiment with colours, materials and shapes. All this happens with a level of artistry offering more advantages than computer-aided design.
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