INSTAR

Instar theorizes on the ability for autonomous vehicles to rethink the way in which the car is formed and detailed. Once the human driver is no longer needed, we can start to depart from the car as it is formed for its function, and begin to think about a new space for vehicular passengers that is better formulated to comfort, flexibility and utility. That is what Instar, in its first iteration, aims to answer — a vehicle that can still maintain drivability, while creating opportunities to have multiple configurations of spatial arrangements with varying overall configurations. In short, the car allows for separate groups of passengers to remain either separated or communed based on a hinging mechanism. This hinging mechanism also allows for the vehicle to spread and compress to address different needs in different car environments.

“Imagine an autonomous car that morphs to accommodate size, configuration and convenience for any trip. ”

Imagine calling your “Uber Pool,” and instead of sharing the space with 3 other people, two sharing the back with you and one in the front with the driver, you have two separate pods, outfitted to act independently, but also come together to create a communal arrangement. This type of application could also be great for work travel, long distance family trips and inter-city transport. The ability for the vehicle to lengthen and compress helps its ability to maintain aerodynamics on fast, long highway trips, but also compactly fit into smaller streets and parking spots once in a destination city.