MyPod

Revolutionizing ground transportation using the human-centered design process

MyPod was a group effort undertaken in my Human-Computer Interaction Studio course in the Spring of 2019.

The goal that we set for ourselves was to reduce roadway congestion.

We followed the design cycle highlighted by Koberg & Bagnall’s “Universal Traveler”, including analysis, definition, ideation & idea selection, implementation, and evaluation.

I spoke with several autonomous vehicle managers at 2 major automobile manufacturers to understand what people want out of private transportation at present and in the future.

We presented the current status of the project weekly to peers in a critique session. The feedback influenced future goals.

We employed techniques detailed in the following books:

• Universal Methods of Design by Hannington et al.

• Sketching User Experiences by Greenberg et al.

• Visual Usability by Schlatter et al.

One major goal of this project that is currently unrealized is the design’s aesthetic. I chose the visual style of retrofuturism to draw contrast between the bygone era of the 1950s and the present. The era of MyPod will seem just as far removed from the present as the 1950s seem, but in the other direction. With more time and the help of a digital artist, this could be better developed.

Design goal

Reduce congestion on the crowded roadways

Research

In the United States…

1.9 average passengers per vehicle

77% drive themselves to work

66% of car trips are made with 1 occupant

So…

vehicles are too large

vehicle occupancy is too low

large space is required between vehicles to account for human error

Our system should address these deficiencies to help alleviate roadway congestion

Industry interviews

[insert Hyundai and Subaru logos here; you will have to dye them white]

I spoke with autonomous vehicle managers at Hyundai and Subaru’s U.S. branches. Currently, most manufacturers offer level 2 (partial) autonomous vehicle technology in some of their production models. Even Tesla’s Autopilot is considered a level 2 system. As of August 2019, only one production car includes a level 3 system, the European-market Audi A8 with its Staupilot (Traffic Jam Pilot). Currently, automakers are focusing on helping humans drive more safely, but they are testing products at all levels of autonomy. Automakers’ estimates for how long level 5 (full) autonomy will take are very inconsistent, ranging from 5 to 50 years.

Design & testing

Through extensive research and planning, we designed increasingly complex conceptualizations of the MyPod ecosystem.

We created a low-fidelity prototype on paper…

…a mid-fidelity prototype in Balsamiq…

…and a high-fidelity prototype in Figma.

What is MyPod?

Every MyPod is fully electric, and level 5 autonomous, meaning the computer controls all aspects of piloting, and there are no human controls.

MyPod is scheduled ahead of time or on demand through the phone or smartwatch apps. Pods are designed for specific use cases, and can be customized in nearly every way. Pods also attach together into convoys on highways to save power and space on the road

Impact

On society

• will change society’s view of road transportation

• MyPod is a realization of the potential of autonomous vehicle technology

On the environment

• pods will be made out of aluminum, which is both light and highly recyclable

• batteries powering the pods can be recycled, provided that such a program is in place

On culture

• more access to affordable transportation, enhancing the feeling of freedom

On infrastructure

• fast-charging stations will need to be installed everywhere gas is currently available

• roadways will need to support pods being able to pull off to pick up and drop off passengers

Advantages vs…

Private vehicles

• no insurance to pay

• no unexpected, expensive repairs

• no parking fee or hassle

• only pay for the trips you use, when you use them

Public transportation

• you can’t ‘miss’ MyPod

• no safety, health, or disturbance risk with other passengers

Uber, Lyft, taxis

• no safety or health risk with an unknown driver

• in fact, no driver is necessary