Volkswagen’s innovative design initiative produces some spectacular results.
In early 2011, VW launched its ‘People’s Car Project’ (PCP) by inviting users to design their own concept car from VW's online platform. Nearly 11 months later, the website has already had a staggering 33 million hits, with more than 119,000 ideas being submitted. At the Auto China 2012 expo, VW exhibited three of the most exciting ideas: the ‘Hover Car’, the ‘Music Car’ and the ‘Smart Key’.
The ‘Hover Car’ is designed to be an environmentally-friendly two-seater city car which relies on electromagnetic road networks to float the vehicle just above the ground. Volkswagen sees this as a key concept and is, in fact, submitting a paper presenting the study of zero-emissions vehicles which deploy electromagnetic road networks for propulsion.
The PCP 'Music Car' Image: Volkswagen Group |
The more light-hearted and funky ‘Music Car’ captures the Chinese consumers' demand for individual design. The outside of the car is peppered with light-emitting diodes (LEDs which change colour as the driver changes the music, making the car extremely appealing to the nation’s young, hip generation.
The ‘Smart Key’ tries to bridge the gap between vehicles and online technology: the slim, 9mm unit has an in-built high-resolution touchscreen, which displays fuel levels, outside climate and can even give security reports via the 3G network. In true James Bond style, drivers will also be able to monitor the car's current position from a bird’s eye view using the realtime satellite transmission.
The PCP was initially intended to be a year-long project, but its resounding success has now ensured it will be continued for an indeterminate period of time. Volkswagen designers see the PCP as the perfect way to access young, tech-savvy Chinese consumers, which is important for VW which sees China as the cornerstone of its plan to become the world’s biggest car producer.