CONTRIBUTION
Industrial Design
User Study
3D Modeling
Physical Prototyping
Rendering & Animation
TIME
Aug 2022 - May 2023
10 month
Designed for airport passengers with mobility limitations, this vehicle design provides electric transportation and customized navigation for airports, using a shared system with two-way management to adapt flexibly to different airport environments. This allows airports to efficiently manage transportation needs while offering passengers a seamless and personalized journey through the terminal.
1. Scan the Boarding Pass
2. Place the Luggage
3. Follow Navigation
4. Easy Return
ZONEAIR provides transportation for passengers and assisting with multiple pieces of diverse luggage using electrical mobility.
After scanning the boarding pass, ZONEAIR will automatically sync with the passenger's flight information and offer navigation.
Prior to boarding, ZONEAIR will alert and guide passengers to the boarding gate, and also promptly notify passengers of any flight changes.
Background
Each passenger will have to keep one carry-on piece up to 7kg along with other handbags for a 2.4 km walk on average.
As the functions and layouts of airport terminals grow perplexing, being lost in airports has become the nightmare for every passenger.
Over 37.3% of passengers encountered flight delay or cancel, and the frequent gate change at the last minute adds more uncertainty to the journey, let alone the haunting fear of missing flights.
Field Research @ Taipei International Airport
Many mid-aged travelers still have the energy and desire for self-guided travel, yet they find themselves caught in an awkward in-between stage: not old enough to rely on a wheelchair, but not young enough to effortlessly carry luggage and navigate large spaces. This gap in mobility solutions leaves them struggling with physical fatigue and logistical challenges.
Even after checking in their larger luggage, many travelers are left juggling smaller bags, personal items, and accessories. These smaller pieces are often difficult to manage, leading to inconvenience and stress, particularly in fast-paced travel environments like airports.
Existing assistive services fail to address the needs of travelers with minor mobility limitations. Many services lack clear instructions or easy access, making them unappealing to users who need quick, flexible solutions. Additionally, current mobility vehicles are not designed for airport travel—they are often bulky and lack adequate storage.
Motivation
We were inspired by observing passengers' habits in airports:
So we tried to design a vehicle that enables passengers to follow their intuition and just like sitting on their suitcases.
Ideation & Prototyping
The overall dimension prototyping
Testing the height of storage rack
Testing the form of the joystick
After confirming the design in the form, we modeled it in Rhino7 to work on the component layout and mechanism placement.
Upon 3D printing the 1:2 model, we conducted a more thorough examination of the sizes and positions of infographics related to physical interfaces.
We utilized spray painting techniques to create simulations of different materials and surface finishes (such as glossy paint, matte metal, and textured plastic), and integrated actual materials like fabric to achieve the most realistic prototype effect.
Core Features
Designed for quick and intuitive access, the rental process is as simple as scanning a boarding pass. The user-friendly interface ensures a smooth start, minimizing wait time and confusion for travelers on the go.
The design incorporates a dedicated space for carry-on luggage, allowing users to store their bags securely and effortlessly. The accessible placement ensures minimal lifting effort, making it ideal for travelers of all ages and abilities.
Equipped with a clear and easy-to-follow navigation interface, the vehicle helps users move through the airport efficiently. Responsive controls and an integrated guidance system ensure a stress-free journey from check-in to gate.
A built-in fastening system keeps smaller bags and personal items secure during transit. This feature ensures that handbags, backpacks, and essentials stay in place, preventing accidental drops or misplacement.
To prevent fabric entanglement and ensure a smooth ride, the wheels are equipped with protective covers. This design minimizes the risk of clothing, bags, or accessories getting caught while in motion, enhancing both safety and durability.
Interaction Design
Stand-by Mode
When ZONEAIR is ready to be rented, the cyan light will flow as a welcoming invitation.
Binding Mode
Once passengers scan their boarding pass, ZONEAIR will display a quick breathing cyan light until completing synchronizing users' flight information.
Stopping
If ZONEAIR slows down and stops, there is a stable red brake light to notify other passengers behind.
Turning
If ZONEAIR is going to turn right/left, the light on the corresponding side will blink a yellow light to alert passengers nearby.
Sharing System Design
In our research on international airports with high traffic volumes, the aerial view of the terminals often resembles a satellite-like distribution, and passengers' movements toward the boarding gates follow a radial pattern. This means that passengers will inevitably pass through certain hub points, and those locations would be the optimal placement points for ZONEAIR stations, ensuring easy and intuitive access for travelers.
In limited spaces with higher traffic volumes, ZONEAIR offers vertical warehousing for rental and parking garages for return. The rental stations are installed at the huns of terminals, while there are parking areas for passengers to park their vehicles in the vicinity of the boarding gates, .
In spacious airports, ZONEAIR provides horizontal charging stations for rental and return at convenient locations outside of security checkpoints and boarding gates.
The stations will be positioned outside security checkpoints and adjacent to boarding gates. Compared to conventional shuttle services with fixed routes and schedules, this greatly enhances passengers' flexibility in access and mobility. Furthermore, this design allows ZONEAIR to integrate with existing power systems, whether through contact charging or wireless charging, adapting to the airport's infrastructure.
