Marius Lochner, Transportation Design Expert at Staffordshire University has developed a unique solution. It could help people, particularly those with reduced mobility, to move around safely and securely while complying with current social distancing measures for Covid-19.
The autonomous taxi concept called Muvone won the Ford "New Norm Mobility Award”, A design award that aimed at concepts, ideas and mobility solutions to face the new scenarios presented by Covid-19.
As self-driving taxi for one, Muvone prioritizes safe individual mobility, allowing people to travel wherever and whenever they want in comfort.
“The pandemic has greatly affected our lives, changing the way people and goods move and creating a new normal for everyone”Says Chris Hamilton, chief designer at Ford of Europe.
We need new ideas for apps, functionality, design and mobility. It's a time when the vehicle is your favorite private space, and personal health is more important than ever.
Chris Hamilton, chief designer at Ford of Europe
How Muvone autonomous taxi is made
Muvone features minimalist interiors with flat surfaces and materials that are easy to clean and disinfect between trips.
Designed to enable greater social inclusion at a time when disabled people need it most, the ease of accessibility makes Muvone highly suitable for seniors and those with reduced mobility.
As often happens with concepts, also in this case the solutions serve to show new trends and paradigms. Besides Muvone, other contest participants also showed solutions totally centered on passenger safety and health.
The runner-up in the award was HALO Project, an idea for an app that helps users make travel choices and choose routes based on personal safety, not the fastest or shortest trip.
Other participants in addition to autonomous taxi concepts included mobility vehicles. From electric scooters to electric trucks, driverless vehicles and even a vehicle that can transform from sports car to truck at the push of a button.
