Orange compact futuristic electric car with black roof and unique hexagonal wheels parked on a city street.

DiDi Robo-Taxi

Introducing the imagined future of autonomous transportation for tourists in the not so far-off year of 2030.

Group project — student work in a sponsored studio class
Los Angeles map with colored circles representing living, workplaces, and touring areas in blue, yellow, and red.
Map of Los Angeles highlighting an orange area covering Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica.

Focus: Tourism

Our focus is on an expansion into the Los Angeles area, with a focus on serving tourists, sightseers and locals on their day off.

Person with a black backpack and gray sweater taking a photo with a smartphone in a city.

Tourism in LA

LA hosts around 50 million visitor annually. The average stay being around 5 days long, notably longer than the 2.5 day US average. This is due to LA having it's numerous attractions spread across a massive 4,700 square mile anea.

Large Groups

The average travel party size is 3.4 people. Families and multi-generational groups make up a large portion of leisure travellers.

Low Public Transport Usage

Less than 7% of commuters use public transportation. The over 85% of tourists rely exclusively on rental cars, rideshares, and hired chauffeur services.

A pie chart showing 60% in orange and 40% in gray.

60%

of taxi or other chauffeured trips are taken for leisure. This includes for tourism, pleasure outings, and sightseeing.
The other 40% accounts for business and emergencies.

After research,
we decided to base our design around
3 core themes

Efficiency

Aerodynamic Form
Spacious Interior

Flexibility

AI Assistant
Onboard Storage

Connectivity

Digital Convoy
Real-Time Communication

Concept

Concept sketches and 3D models of car designs, including side views and interior layouts.
White sketches of futuristic, boxy robotaxi designs on a black background with different views and angles.
White line sketches of futuristic compact car designs on a black background labeled Direction B.
White sketch illustrations show various angles and interior designs of a futuristic robotaxi vehicle on black background.
Front outline of a vehicle with two seated occupants and measurements listed beside for dimensions and benchmarks.Technical side and top vehicle diagram showing a seated human figure and dimensions in millimeters and inches.

Interior

Front view of a futuristic robotaxi with beige seats and no visible steering wheel.Top view of a futuristic two-seat vehicle interior with beige seats and a central console.Side view of a futuristic car frame with front and rear wheels and a single seat on an orange background.Beige futuristic open cabin car with two seats and black wheels on a red background.
3D printed car models and interior seating arrangements displayed on a white table.White 3D-printed car interior model with seats and a figure seated inside on a white table.

Features

Interior view of two cream-colored car seats with a foldable table between them and large side windows.

Dual Seating

The vehicle seats 2, which is in the interest of increasing efficiency for solo riders and couple riders. Larger groups will enjoy the digital convoy feature.

Top-down view of two modern orange cars with black roofs parked side by side on a road.

Digital Convoy

The vehicles can link together digitally depending on the needs of the user, and drive together as if they are segments of a train. Saving energy through aerodynamics as well as keeping larger groups together on the road.

Modern car interior with beige leather seat and adjustable gray tablet mounted by window.

Folding Table

A folding table stored in the armrest allows ease of use while maintaining space efficiency.

Orange and black futuristic car with an open trunk showing empty storage space.
Orange compact car with front trunk open showing empty storage space and a black roof.

Mobile Locker

Unlockable and reservable with an app, the trunk can keep your items safe even if the vehicle ferries other passengers while you have a picnic in the park.

Car dashboard screen showing message: My mom is waiting between B1 and B2, in pink and black with a blue suitcase.
Car dashboard screen showing video call interface with two participants and arrival in 22 minutes.
Car dashboard screen showing map with route to Tokyo Village and arrival in 22 minutes.

Onboard AI Helper

Connected to your profile on the mobile app, the onboard AI helper can help you plan trips, choose routes, or arrange destination changes and mid-trip stops. If you are in a digital convoy, you can also chat and call with your travel group all on the extra wide screen below the windshield.

DiDi Robo-Taxi

Orange futuristic compact car with black roof and unique geometric wheels parked near a graffiti wall.
Orange and black futuristic robotaxi parked on asphalt with 'IN SERVICE' on the windshield.
Screen shows text 'Welcome, Jenn. Are you ready for the trip?' with a round Start button and Help? below

Thank you for riding with
DiDi Robo-Taxi.