Because of the enormous wealth of data from the myriad sensors & systems, we needed an innovative & creative solution to communicating an intimidating amount of information. The idea was to bring a more intuitive, soulful element to the technology of self-driving cars, giving animated life to Yui, the soul of the car. Immersion was at the center of our design process, incorporating every aspect of the car into Yui’s capabilities, providing multiple platforms and angles for Yui to utilize in communication. The object was to create a personality for the car as a whole, pushing the boundaries of humanisation that were forged by the Beetle and Neon. Yui doesn’t just bring life to the car, it brings the car to life.

Interior features mimic and enhance Yui’s personality, using light, sound & touch to communicate important information to the driver and emphasize & affect the driver’s moods, detected via biometric sensors. We designed a widescreen, 3-D, full-color head-up display to blend seamlessly into the car’s sculptural interior, allowing Yui to project information at will, providing a navigation path or directing the driver’s attention to points of interest.We also visualized Yui’s presence on the exterior. On the headlights, door panel, rear quarter panel, and the cowl, LED displays project driver greetings, animated turn signals and warnings.

Integration with the consumer’s schedule, habits, likes & behaviors enhances Yui’s ability to supplement the driving experience beyond changing lanes or avoiding accidents. Assimilation of data points allows Yui to suggest destinations, provide appointment reminders, and detect & augment mood for safety, adjusting climate & tone to wake up or calm the driver when detecting drowsiness/anger.

With Yui, we’ve created the world’s first all-encompassing and immersive AI interface for an automobile, bringing life and personality to the car by making technology invisible. Here, autonomy offers a partner rather than a feature, with tech that can truly make your life better.

Our presentation made Concept-i one of the most well-received entrants at CES 2017, with long lines and large crowds from opening to close, leading to it being honored with a “Best of CES 2017” Award from Wired Magazine.