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VW asks and the People(‘s Republic of China) answer: Cars will Hover

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VW asks and the People(‘s Republic of China) answer: Cars will Hover
By Laura E. Mitchell on May 22, 2012

The middle aged couple peering out incredulously from what appears to be a floating, seethrough hockey puck in the recently released promotional video from Volkswagen are actually “riding” in the car that the German manufacturer claims will be the future of the auto industry – if it can be built, that is. For now The future... the concept, which was one of 119,000 designs submitted in Volkswagen‟s 2011 ‘People’s Car Project‘ crowdsourcing competition, is just a computer animated video. The idea for the zero-emissions „Hover Car‟ is, however, already shaping the discussion for what we might one day see driving down the road. This two-seat, environmentally friendly vehicle which floats along on an electromagnetic highway, provides not just an innovative idea for a company known for its enduring icon (the Beetle) and its clever commercials (remember the tiny Darth Vader using the Force on his brand new Passat?), but also valuable insight into what Volkswagen customers really want. ”The trend,” says Simon Loasby, Head of Design at Volkswagen Group China where „People‟s Car Project‟ was held, “is towards safe cars that can easily navigate overcrowded roads and have a personal, emotional and exciting design.” Take, for example the „Music Car,‟ one of the two other winning designs. Thanks to its “organic light emitting diodes,” drivers will be able to customize the exterior color of their car, matching it to whatever song they happen to be listening to at any given moment. Who needs a new handbag when your car can be an accessory? The third winning concept, currently on display with the others at Auto China 2012, is the less trendy, more practical, „Smart Key.‟ Touchscreen technology is

integrated into its slim, 9mm frame, allowing drivers to see an instant display of everything from fuel economy and weather conditions, to the car‟s security and a bird‟s-eye-view of their location through satellite imaging. The campaign that was only slated to last for one year, has been so successful – it generated more than 33 million visits to Volkswagen’s Chinese website – the company has announced that it will now be welcoming customer designs indefinitely. No word yet on when the competition will extend beyond China, which is “Volkswagen‟s largest and most important market,” according to Luca de Meo, Director of Marketing, Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand. But he does go on to admit that they do, “see potential for launching the project in other markets as well.” Concept cars like these, while thrillingly futuristic, are often little more than inspirational pipe dreams. Researchers at Stanford University are, however, dabbling in creating roads which use magnetic fields to charge electric cars as you drive. Granted, this is not the same as using magnetic fields to make you float as you drive, but it is moving in that direction. But, honestly, should we really prepare to kiss our wheels goodbye? “The „People‟s Car Project‟ in China marks the beginning of a new era in automobile design”, continues de Meo. “In a long-term context the findings of the „People„s Car Project‟ will influence Volkswagen‟s product strategy… If at some time in the future we are to produce a vehicle from the „People‟s Car Project‟, it will be a combination of customers‟ opinions and brand tradition.” For the moment, I think we can take that as a “No.”

Summary For now the concept, which was one of 119,000 designs submitted in Volkswagen’s 2011 ‘People’s Car Project‘ crowdsourcing competition, is just a computer animated video. The idea for the zero-emissions ‘Hover Car’ is, however, already shaping the discussion for what we might one day see driving down the road.

Description “The ‘People’s Car Project’ in China marks the beginning of a new era in automobile design”, continues de Meo. “In a long-term context the findings of the ‘People‘s Car Project’ will influence Volkswagen’s product strategy… If at some time in the future we are to produce a vehicle from the ‘People’s Car Project’, it will be a combination of customers’ opinions and brand tradition.”

Tags: china, Crowdsourcing, Hover car, Peoples Car Project, Smart Key, Volkswagen, VW

Posted by Jason Robbins

May 25, 2012 05:42 am GMT Viewed 834 times

Author: Laura E. Mitchell Source

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