How can design help to emphasize trust within the autonomous car?
What will be the new entertainments for the “ex-driver”?

For years, computing power is an integrated part of modern cars aiming to reduce or enhance various controls and operations. The importance of reliance on computer assistance regarding autonomous driving is a common goal within the entire automotive industry.
Several manufacturers, including Renault, are developing autonomous car prototypes aiming to reduce the number of tasks done by the driver. Since humans undertake fewer and fewer driving operations, how will the look of the car interior be in the future?
What will be the role of the driver and how should the interior be adapted in terms of ergonomics, since the autonomous car takes care of the driving?

When a new technology comes to the market, people need time to accept, adapt and trust.
Focussing on the experience inside the car and on the passengers is as important as the car itself. This project deals with concept design but uses also psychology in order to have user-centered approach. Indeed, people will need to trust the technology of autonomous car. This lack of trust might be explained by a lack of control.
Maestro is focussing on emphasizing the illusion of control and on developing entertainments inside the car, especially for the “ex-driver”.

The steering wheel connotes namely power and control. With the driverless car, it will be removed.
How can we replace the steering wheel?
How can the ex-driver have the illusion of control?

The ex-driver will have a new status and will need to reinvent a “high status”, power and control. Most of people drive for pleasure and control. To overcome these possible frustrations from the autonomous car and recreate a hierarchy inside the car, the concept is to differentiate the seat of the owner/ex-driver and the passengers in order to show the control zone.

 “What nourish the euphoria of a car is that driving has nothing of an active tonicity; rather, it is a passive satisfaction, albeit one accompanied by every-changing scenery.” The system of object, Jean Baudrillard

Driverless cars will reinforce passivity. One of the purposes of this project is to make people active inside the car, especially the “ex-driver” and to create a new experience inside the car.
The technology of the autonomous car is something abstract and intangible for people.
Regarding the infotainments and entertainments inside the car, Maestro takes the opposite view of digital and is then adorned by analogue details and buttons. Using physical elements might be more reassuring than digital ones and give illusion of a certain control. One willingness of this project is to emphasize the passengers, give them importance, rather than autonomous technology.

Year: 2016
Role: Experience Designer
Client : Renault UK
In collaboration with: A. Charpentier, F. Doria & Z. Gu