top automotive design studios turn to mother

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TOP AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN STUDIOS TURN TO MOTHER NATURE FOR
INSPIRATION IN 10TH ANNUAL LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW DESIGN CHALLENGE
A dozen studios from the US, Japan, Germany and China to participate in LA Auto Show’s New
Design Gallery at 2013 Show
LOS ANGELES, CA (November 7, 2013) – The Los Angeles Auto Show (LA Auto Show®) announced
today that nine concepts were submitted by world-renowned auto design studios for this year’s Design
Challenge, themed “Biomimicry & Mobility 2025 – Nature’s Answer to Human Challenges.” Each competitor’s
mobility solution or system has been designed with nature’s inspiration while increasing function and
addressing a variety of transportation topics, such as congestion, pollution, safety and sustainability. With
biological knowledge doubling every five years, the 10th Design Challenge pushes automotive designers to
explore new instruments and knowledge like never before.
In addition to the nine competing studios, three additional studios are joining this year’s Design Gallery to
showcase their team’s capabilities making for a total of 12 auto design studios from around the world
participating in the Show. Studios participating in the Design Challenge represent the brands BMW,
Changfeng, JAC Motors, Mazda, Qoros, SAIC Motor, Subaru and Toyota. Their entries for this year’s Design
Challenge propose mobility solutions inspired by natural creatures, structures and occurrences. From selfsustaining silk worms to long-forgotten waterways, the entries are sure to spark intense competition and
careful deliberation at the LA Auto Show’s 2013 Design Challenge. The three additional studios showcased in
the Gallery include Hyundai Design and Research Center, Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Center California
and Nissan Design America.
2013 Design Challenge entries include:
BMW Group DesignworksUSA, USA – To solve LA’s daily traffic congestion and decrease the
environmental impact, BMW Group DesignworksUSA designers explore forgotten waterways as a commuting
alternative with their vehicle concept, “L.A. Subways.” Inspired by the efficiency of swarms and the unique
power generating processes found within cells, BMW Group DesignworksUSA’s design serves to answer the
ever-growing challenges of mobility in Los Angeles.
BMW Group DesignworksUSA, USA – Inspired by biomimicry, the BMW “S.E.E.D (Sustainable Efficient
Exploratory Device)” was created to explore the world’s harshest environments in search for new life forms
and inspiration. Using the maple seed as its main inspiration, this vehicle uses a multifunctional rotating tail
and nature’s elements such as solar energy, wind and gravity as its main sources of mobility. Changfeng Motor Corporation, China – Using a hollow reed design in a spiral dynamic configuration,
Changfeng has created “‘LaBrea’ – Los Angeles Bio Research Project,” which utilizes a closed loop and semi
rigid torsion reed network to distribute and manage maneuvering capabilities. The entire system resembles a
grasshopper, capable of running, jumping, climbing, swimming and also the ability to squeeze between
narrow openings. From holographic Emoji to update traffic patterns, to techno gel seat cushions that provide
cooling and heating, the LaBrea mobility system adheres to the adage “Adapt or Die.”
JAC Motors R & D Center, Japan – JAC Motors introduces “HEFEI” (Harmonious Eco-Friendly Efficient
Infrastructure), a totally rethought mobility solution inspired by the self-sufficiency of the eco-system. This
mobility network offers symbiosis between vehicles and their urban environment. Idle vehicles are used to
power running vehicles; a power grid supports the entire system; and automated traffic regulates itself,
decreasing accidents, traffic jams and energy loss.
Mazda Design Americas, USA – In reaction to the impending demise of the 2025 driver, Mazda has
designed “AUTO ADAPT.” Studying the biological phenomenon of adaptation and specifically how insects
have adapted, Mazda has created a vehicle that has the ability to adapt from being fully autonomous to a
manual machine. These vehicles are geared directly to those true drivers out there that long for the
excitement found with driving an automobile; the excitement expected to be completely eliminated from the
autonomous cars of 2025.
Qoros Auto, China – Acting as a control hub, the “Silk Road System” designed by Qoros will allow vehicles
to operate harmoniously, actively eliminating accidents. Using the silk worm as its inspiration, Silk Road
Vehicles and Silk Bots, in coordination with the overall system will serve to offer the drivers of Shanghai a
fool-proof, sustainable and waste-free mobility system.
SAIC Motor, China – Inspired by a simple ant’s distinctive body structure and the mutually beneficial
relationship between ants and trumpet trees, SAIC Motors designed Roewe “Mobiliant.” Mobiliant is a singleseat vehicle for urban public transit, which helps improve both transportation and operation efficiency for
future urban ecological systems.
Subaru Global Design Team, Japan – The innovative, affordable and fun personal mobility vehicle from
Subaru’s designers was created to change the man-vehicle relationship in a revolutionary way. The “SUBAROO” is a one-legged, self-contained, wearable mobility vehicle with a propulsion method which mimics the
efficient yet powerful jumping motions of a kangaroo. With the SUBA-ROO’s all-road, go anywhere
capability and Subaru's Eye-Sight safety system, the path to your destination is unlimited. On the road, a
trail, a beach, or in a building, SUBA-ROO will widen the boundaries of mobility and bring back the joy of
personally mobility for everyone to enjoy.
CALTY Design Research, Toyota Design Network, USA – Designed as the ultimate electric hypercommuter vehicle, the Toyota “e-grus” specializes in long distance travel and minimal footprint city driving.
Inspired by the resilient crane, e-grus can be driven autonomously, positioned at a full extension aero profile
for efficiency and high speed stability much like a crane in flight. The dual mode shifts through an active
metal surface that sends electric currents for a pliable skin that hardens once positioned vertically or
horizontally.
Entries will be judged on various factors including creative adaptation of nature’s laws (plants & animals);
application of human intelligence to Biomimicry in unique ways to improve the efficiency of future vehicles;
comfort, convenience, aesthetics of the vehicle; sustainability of the building, servicing, operation, and life
cycle; and the personality of the vehicle in relationship to the brand.
Entries will be judged by Tom Matano, Executive Director, School of Industrial Design at San Francisco's
Academy of Art University; Stewart Reed, Chair of Transportation Design at Pasadena’s Art Center College of
Design; John Manoogian, Adjunct Professor Auto Design Studio at the College for Creative Studies. This
esteemed panel of judges will be joined by guest judge, Dr. Gabriel A. Miller, who currently serves as the
Director of Research & Development at the Centre for Bioinspiration at San Diego Zoo Global, where he
devotes his work to the implementation of nature's design and engineering solutions to advance humanity,
wildlife, and habitats.
All entries will be presented and a winner will be selected during the Design Los Angeles Open House and
Challenge Presentations on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The final competition concepts
will be prominently displayed at the LA Auto Show in the newly created Design Gallery that makes design an
integral part of the LA Auto Show. The brand new Design Gallery showcases the talent and imagination of
key global auto studios throughout Press Days (Nov. 19, 20 and 21, 2013), as well as through the run of the
public show (Nov. 22-Dec. 1, 2013).
The LA Auto Show Design Challenge is sponsored by Faurecia, the world’s sixth-largest automotive supplier
specializing in automotive seating, emissions control technologies, interior systems and auto exteriors. Other
sponsors that make Design LA possible include Lacks Enterprises, Inc., Eastman, Dassault Systèmes,
Autodesk, Bose and BBC.com, alongside the 2013 Design Challenge media partner, Car Design News. The
Design Challenge is organized by the LA Auto Show and the Design Los Angeles chairs, Joan Gregor and
Chuck Pelly of The Design Academy.
Media registration for LA Auto Show and Connected Car Expo Press Days can be accessed here. General
registration for CCE is also open at this time. For more information, please visit www.laautoshow.com and
www.connectedcarexpo.com. About the Los Angeles Auto Show and Connected Car Expo
Founded in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto Show is the first major North American auto show of the season
each year. Press Days for the 2013 LA Auto Show® will be held on Nov. 20 and 21. The show will be open
to the public Nov. 22 – Dec. 1. The Connected Car Expo (CCE) will be the first expo to unite automotive and
technology professionals in an effort to increase development and foster relationship-building in the
connected car industry, providing attendees with access to the key players and top media constructing the
future of the connected car. CCE will debut on Nov. 19, and continue in conjunction with the 2013 LA Auto
Show Press Days. The LA Auto Show is endorsed by the Greater L.A. New Car Dealer Association and is
operated by ANSA Productions. To receive the latest show news and information, follow LA Auto Show on
Twitter at twitter.com/LAAutoShow or via Facebook at facebook.com/LosAngelesAutoShow and sign up for
alerts at www.LAAutoShow.com. For more information on CCE please visit http://connectedcarexpo.com/
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