Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Welcome to the future…

"The key to affecting the development of tomorrow's mobility lies in our readiness to challenge what is established and in the ability to present new options" – BMW Press release June 2008

The GINA principle (Geometry and Functions In "N" Adaptations) is a new approach towards vehicle surface development. I think this concept is amazing because through this revolutionary concept the vehicle gains the ability to express the feeling of the driver (or in other words the drive mode of the car) by changing its physical appearance. In order to create an organic sense, the head lights blink with movements similar to human eye lids.

 

http://thenewdavinci.spaces.live.com

Jeff



Click here. Want to help Windows Live Messenger plant more Aussie trees?

5 comments:

Student Contributor said...

That’s really insane and outside the square! Huge step forward in terms of drive customizability, emotional driver connection, material selection and function. And Design approach and thinking.

I suppose there’s the advantage of reducing weight but it still requires a strong frame, The only downside i see is that a sheet metal skin provides the necessary crumble zones and crash absorption. Otherwise it could work.

Watch the YouTube video@: http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=53506
Blinking/Opening headlights are pretty dam cool and the translucent brake lights shining through the fabric. It all gives the car even more animal/human like qualities if your standard BMW Z4, Z8 etc didn’t already have enough.

-Daniel

Student Contributor said...

As someone who hasn't always appreciated the work of Chris Bangle (although I'd give some vital organs for a Fiat Coupe), when I first saw this and heard about Bangle's rationale behind it, I was totally blown away.

As Daniel said, this is just so outside the square. The idea that the chassis can provide all the rigidity and crash protection needed and of the exterior of the car as a "skin" is a take that, if developed further, could prove revolutionary.

It still has a few question marks over it though. How do you wash it? Does it have substantial sound deadning or is it really loud?

Can it be knifed as opposed to keyed...

Marshall.

Student Contributor said...

Marshal I like your interesting observations and remarkable questions. I think washing it would be a major concern as whatever the material is you can seal it with some form of clear coating (costly but doable). The sound insulation shouldn’t be a major issue either with the technology that’s available today. But the knife-protection is interesting to examine in more detail. Although the first reaction from a thief would definitely NOT be trying a knife on any vehicle that’s just parked in the corner, but it’s a secondary threat after physical contact with a flexible skin or mass production publicity hype that would be associated with such a car/carmaker. With the inner skeleton of the car in mind I still think breaking the windows (one of the most generic methods in use now) is far more feasible for any thief than further analysis of framework structure as an intrusion mechanism. Just picture a guy stuck half way in or stunned or electrified… you won’t just have the cops all over him but the fire department as well :))

http://thenewdavinci.spaces.live.com
Jeff

Student Contributor said...

Damn, I was going to post that. Guess you beat me to it.
Amazing design though, absolute genius. It completely redefines the car exterior design. Imagine the weight savings of fabric instead of sheets of steel. The seamless smooth skin gives it such an animalistic vibe, especially when it blinks it appears alive. The idea of having a flexible form is fantastic. Never have to worry about scratches or dents either.
As for the strength of the material, it's not unfeasible to have an extremely strong tear resistant material. Cloth top convertibles have been around for ages.

Will

Student Contributor said...

Ye I think if they further develop the material used for the skin to a point where it would look like a metal skin and could be shiny and all it could become a common part of all cars developed in the future. Oh and the interior is cool too, as it is also made from that material. I would love to see this car driving around on a windy day.

Marco