Transportation Design, Car Interior, Branding, Animation
2021
ARES
Mars Experiencing Vehicle
Overview
Ares is a vehicle designed for traveling on Mars. Imagine the year 2100, where humanity's exploration extends beyond Earth to the mysterious red planet. To navigate through Mars' unique terrain, we as a group of 3, developed a car body and transformable wheels that adapt to the environment. Featuring an engaging and comfortable interior, Ares offers an entirely new travel experience on Mars.
Our Vision
Ares, a vehicle for space travelers to venture outside of their base for a road trip across the martain terrain. Rovering on the wild land, it allows the driver and passengers to experience the excitement created by the unique terrain, climate, and gravity of Mars. At the same time, passengers can relax and enjoy the scenery in comfort, with entertainment features enhancing the tour.
All-Terrain Wheel
Self-leveling suspansion with wheels that opens and closes to adapt to range of off-road terrain on Mars.
Tech Specs
Considering the raw and spacious environment on Mars, we put passengers' comfort in priority. The 7-meter-long vehicle is designed to accommodate five people, including their luggage.
Ares features a standard vehicle layout with doors that open on both sides. The front wheels are extended to maximize the door area for easier access.
Interior Layout
Driving Wheel
Driver's Seat
A centered driver's seat capable of rotating 360 degrees.
Co-pilot seat
Two co-pilot seats that move and rotate freely within a confined space.
Rear seat
Surrounded rear seats for best comfort.
Dashboard Display
For HUD, system, navigation, and media display.
Media Control
Main control over the vehicle.
Entertainment Units
With built-in screens and a hologram projector, it provides most entertainment for the passengers.
Center Table
Extend and collapse on users' interests.
Ambient
Our Branding
The naming and branding concept is inspired by two words: Mars and Conqueror. These led to the names “Mars” and “Ares,” referencing the gods of war from Roman and Greek mythology. The design combines luxury and off-road elements to create a bold visual impact, giving drivers and passengers an experience of sovereign-like being on the untamed wildland of the planet.
Animation Clips
Exterior
Interior
Gallery
Cockpit
Passenger space
Driving Wheel and dashboard
Entertainment center console
Driving Wheel
Media Control
Entertainment Console
Back Seats
Star-gazing
Stop the car, lower the back of the chair, open the special mode of ceiling, and use the digital high-power telescope to bring the galaxy light-years closer to your eyes. If you observe carefully, you may be able to see our hometown-The Earth.
The making
Ideation Process
Through out this project, I experienced the value and challenges of a well-thought and elaborated design process. From brainstorming in the beginning to the long process of production, the 10 months of effort has created so much experience in design and teamwork.
Design Process
In order to accomplish the ambition in our mind, we tried our best to gain knowledge and study for fields that we have never set our feet in. Practicality as our spirit, we discussed, experimented, overthrew ideas, and then reconsidered. Aiming at our goal and reaching for it step by step.
Prototyping Process
As first-time users of industrial clay, we encountered so many challenges and went through multiple revisions. The flexibility of clay allowed us to shape and refine details more quickly and efficiently.
Sketches
Process Records
Epilogue
After months of planning, designing, and bringing our concept to life, COVID hit us hard. We had to cancel the exhibition due to the pandemic. The opportunity to physically present our creation to the public was lost, restricted by government policies on social events. However, we couldn't simply let it go. We started transforming a private space into a gallery-like environment—setting up the prototypes for display, wearing decent shirts we hardly ever wore, and holding our own "team-only" presentation. With the camera rolling, the three of us enthusiastically introduced our work and process, hoping to convey our passion in design through the video. I wouldn’t say that ARES is my best work, but the freedom to pursue my passion and the ability to design and build our most whimsical ideas into reality made it my favorite project. I always look back on that period as a defining moment in my creative journey.
More work
Newer project
Earlier project
Sam (He/Him)
Samuel Hao-Yu Wang
Industrial Designer
Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
Originally from Taiwan
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