A Play of Brilliants
A Play of Brilliants
Hardware Interaction Design
Hardware Interaction Design
2023
2023
• Overview
• Overview
This project explores human-vehicle hardware interaction through the experience design of MONA, a smart EV. It aims to build long-term relationships between users and their vehicles by treating the car as an intelligent, empathetic companion—one that connects with users through transparent communication and emotionally supportive experiences.
This project explores human-vehicle hardware interaction through the experience design of MONA, a smart EV. It aims to build long-term relationships between users and their vehicles by treating the car as an intelligent, empathetic companion—one that connects with users through transparent communication and emotionally supportive experiences.
• Business Objectives
• Business Objectives
A Smart EV Persona
Explore what kind of AI persona best supports in-vehicle interactions—one that feels intelligent, trustworthy, and emotionally attuned to user needs
In-car sensory experience
Use current technology to design refined, non-intrusive interactions that enhance the user’s sensory experience and emotional comfort inside the vehicle
User-vehicle Partnership
Envision how design can foster a sense of partnership between users and their EV over time—building trust, emotional connection, and brand loyalty through everyday interactions.
A Smart EV Persona
Explore what kind of AI persona best supports in-vehicle interactions—one that feels intelligent, trustworthy, and emotionally attuned to user needs
In-car sensory experience
Use current technology to design refined, non-intrusive interactions that enhance the user’s sensory experience and emotional comfort inside the vehicle
User-vehicle Partnership
Envision how design can foster a sense of partnership between users and their EV over time—building trust, emotional connection, and brand loyalty through everyday interactions.
• Goals
• Goals
Leverage light as a medium to enable MONA, the smart EV, to communicate intuitively with users. The goal is to transform the vehicle into a physical AI that serves as a digital companion and fosters long-term relationships with its users.
Leverage light as a medium to enable MONA, the smart EV, to communicate intuitively with users. The goal is to transform the vehicle into a physical AI that serves as a digital companion and fosters long-term relationships with its users.
• Design Progress
• Design Progress
To shape a compelling user journey, we drew inspiration from amusement park design—where the most memorable experiences often begin and end with emotional impact. Like a well-crafted story that opens strong, builds to a peak, and closes with a lasting impression, we structured MONA’s experience around three key moments:
Arrival – As the user approaches, MONA greets them with a warm, friendly introduction.
During the ride – Inside the vehicle, MONA becomes a supportive presence, quietly joining the user's activities.
Arrival – When the user leaves, MONA expresses a gentle reluctance to part and offers a heartfelt goodbye.
To shape a compelling user journey, we drew inspiration from amusement park design—where the most memorable experiences often begin and end with emotional impact. Like a well-crafted story that opens strong, builds to a peak, and closes with a lasting impression, we structured MONA’s experience around three key moments:
Arrival – As the user approaches, MONA greets them with a warm, friendly introduction.
During the ride – Inside the vehicle, MONA becomes a supportive presence, quietly joining the user's activities.
Arrival – When the user leaves, MONA expresses a gentle reluctance to part and offers a heartfelt goodbye.
• Final Approach
• Final Approach
I introduced light to the dialogue - the dynamic exchange of information between humans and cars. I addressed transparency and empathy through three key aspects: language, intention, and emotion.
I introduced light to the dialogue - the dynamic exchange of information between humans and cars. I addressed transparency and empathy through three key aspects: language, intention, and emotion.
The Language of the MONA
I designed a unique 'language' for the vehicle’s front lighting, enabling it to simulate facial expressions. This leverages people’s natural ability to recognize facial cues, allowing the car to convey emotions and be perceived as a companion.
The Language of the MONA
I designed a unique 'language' for the vehicle’s front lighting, enabling it to simulate facial expressions. This leverages people’s natural ability to recognize facial cues, allowing the car to convey emotions and be perceived as a companion.
According to Windhager et al. (2008), people tend to perceive car fronts as having facial features and consistently attribute personality traits to them based on their shape, paralleling the perception of human faces.
Mapping pupil size to light volume and brightness in different lighting conditions, inspired by human facial expressions, to create emotionally expressive automotive lighting.
According to Windhager et al. (2008), people tend to perceive car fronts as having facial features and consistently attribute personality traits to them based on their shape, paralleling the perception of human faces.
Mapping pupil size to light volume and brightness in different lighting conditions, inspired by human facial expressions, to create emotionally expressive automotive lighting.
Expression: Hello
Expression: Hello
Expression: Cry
Expression: Cry
Expression: Charging
Expression: Charging
Expression: Focus (Sentinel Mode)
Expression: Focus (Sentinel Mode)
To balance expressive, human-like lighting with regulatory constraints, emotional expressions were designed to appear only when the vehicle is parked. Limitations in bulb brightness, color, size, and front lamp functions made certain effects—like “crying,” which requires turning off DRL and beam lights—unsuitable for driving scenarios. Even subtle animations like “focus” were kept minimal to avoid interfering with other required lighting functions, ensuring safety and compliance.
To balance expressive, human-like lighting with regulatory constraints, emotional expressions were designed to appear only when the vehicle is parked. Limitations in bulb brightness, color, size, and front lamp functions made certain effects—like “crying,” which requires turning off DRL and beam lights—unsuitable for driving scenarios. Even subtle animations like “focus” were kept minimal to avoid interfering with other required lighting functions, ensuring safety and compliance.
Intention Transparency
Intention Transparency
V2P (vehicle to pedestrian) communication with explicit displays: the motion patterns ensure pedestrian crossing safety and build trust.
Rasouli (2018) noted that the lack of social understanding and effective communication can contribute to traffic conflicts and accidents involving pedestrians.
V2P (vehicle to pedestrian) communication with explicit displays: the motion patterns ensure pedestrian crossing safety and build trust.
Rasouli (2018) noted that the lack of social understanding and effective communication can contribute to traffic conflicts and accidents involving pedestrians.
V2P (vehicle to pedestrian) communication with explicit displays: the motion patterns ensure pedestrian crossing safety and build trust.
Rasouli (2018) noted that the lack of social understanding and effective communication can contribute to traffic conflicts and accidents involving pedestrians.
V2P (vehicle to pedestrian) communication with explicit displays: the motion patterns ensure pedestrian crossing safety and build trust.
Rasouli (2018) noted that the lack of social understanding and effective communication can contribute to traffic conflicts and accidents involving pedestrians.
The art of being shy
The interior lighting defined the “peak” of our storytelling. The design prioritizes principles from ‘Calm Technology’ - being unobtrusive and adaptive. A combined algorithm, based on environmental lighting, mood, and user preferences, will determine the activation of projectors and LEDs, making the interior environment anticipate needs and be emotionally engaging.
The art of being shy
The interior lighting defined the “peak” of our storytelling. The design prioritizes principles from ‘Calm Technology’ - being unobtrusive and adaptive. A combined algorithm, based on environmental lighting, mood, and user preferences, will determine the activation of projectors and LEDs, making the interior environment anticipate needs and be emotionally engaging.
Ambient Theme: Digital Nomad
Ambient Theme: Digital Nomad
Ambient Theme: Calm Meditation
Ambient Theme: Calm Meditation
I explored how theatrical lighting guides attention and emotion through color, spotlighting, and shadow. Inspired by these principles, the vehicle’s interior lighting uses strategically placed LEDs to respond subtly to user interactions. Soft, diffused light from concealed sources creates a calming glow, enhancing comfort and presence inside the cabin.
I explored how theatrical lighting guides attention and emotion through color, spotlighting, and shadow. Inspired by these principles, the vehicle’s interior lighting uses strategically placed LEDs to respond subtly to user interactions. Soft, diffused light from concealed sources creates a calming glow, enhancing comfort and presence inside the cabin.
• Reflection
• Reflection
This project offers a starting point for making cars behave in ways that feel natural and considerate around people. Using subtle cues, building trust, and keeping things simple are smart choices that show real understanding of human behavior. There are still challenges ahead, such as how people might take advantage of the car’s caution or how its signals work across different situations, but testing in the real world will help shape and improve these ideas. It’s a strong foundation for designing cars that move comfortably through human spaces.
This project offers a starting point for making cars behave in ways that feel natural and considerate around people. Using subtle cues, building trust, and keeping things simple are smart choices that show real understanding of human behavior. There are still challenges ahead, such as how people might take advantage of the car’s caution or how its signals work across different situations, but testing in the real world will help shape and improve these ideas. It’s a strong foundation for designing cars that move comfortably through human spaces.
