GLOCAR CONCEPT: A CAR THAT TAKES CARE OF YOU
The GloCar Concept.
Safety: 60 percent of accidents occur at intersections at night. Illuminated by
translucent panels and LED lights, GloCar is more visible
Sustainability: Simplifies manufacturing process, reduces need for paint application,
minimizes air pollution
DEARBORN, April 24 Ford is taking the art of color to a more intense level with a new
concept car that uses LED lights to change body panel colors, intensity and frequency, all in
the name of safety and user preferences.
As part of National Design Triennial: Inside Design Now, a cutting-edge exhibit now on
display at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Fords Brand Imaging Group will display the
GloCar, a revolutionary translucent concept vehicle intended to push the boundaries of
automotive design and predict the future of consumer needs.
Nearly 100 years ago, Henry Ford let his color preference be known with a legendary quote:
You can have any color as long as its black. Launched in the spring of 2002, GloCar
challenges the icon by being any color except black. Clad in injection-molded translucent
plastic panels, it uses LED lights to change the body panel color, intensity and frequency in
response to safety conditions and user preferences. The driver can either stand out or blend
in.
The customizable GloCar was designed to be safe, fun and evoke emotion. The soft glowing
panels serve as a safety feature to make you very visible at night, said Laurens van den
Acker, chief designer at Fords Brand Imaging Group. The rear panel doubles as a brake light,
and the side panels as blinkers. When somebody comes too close, the panels increase in
intensity, signaling the driver to keep a distance.
(Embedded image moved to file: pic26500.jpg)Glocar
The only automobile on display at the exhibit, the GloCar is built around a lightweight
aluminum space frame with aluminum extrusions and castings. It is powered by fuel cell
technology.
GloCar came about after extensive socio-cultural and technological trend research. The
research determined five scenarios of the future: the unfolding universe, the mosaic society,
the experiential society, the sustainable society and the caring society. These scenarios
were used to anticipate future consumer needs and provide solutions for new challenges the
automotive industry might face, said van den Acker. The intended user is always the end user
the customer.
Based on the scenarios, designers explored possible trends. Among the most important were
safety and sustainability. Sixty percent of accidents happen at intersections at night. Being
seen is key in avoiding this. The GloCar allows you to be seen from all angles, not just
headlights and taillights. In addition, the GloCar can potentially eliminate the need for
vehicle paint, thus eliminating waste as well as reducing complexity at the manufacturer by
making only one version of the vehicle.
The ecological and bottom line benefits might be obvious, but the positive social impact of
the GloCar is also important. The GloCar projects an image of concern, safety, intelligence
and lightness and takes the car from an aggressor to a protector, said van den Acker.
Imagine hundreds of GloCars, brightening up a city. It shows a future where cars become more
intelligent and optimistic.
The GloCar Concept.
Safety: 60 percent of accidents occur at intersections at night. Illuminated by
translucent panels and LED lights, GloCar is more visible
Sustainability: Simplifies manufacturing process, reduces need for paint application,
minimizes air pollution
DEARBORN, April 24 Ford is taking the art of color to a more intense level with a new
concept car that uses LED lights to change body panel colors, intensity and frequency, all in
the name of safety and user preferences.
As part of National Design Triennial: Inside Design Now, a cutting-edge exhibit now on
display at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Fords Brand Imaging Group will display the
GloCar, a revolutionary translucent concept vehicle intended to push the boundaries of
automotive design and predict the future of consumer needs.
Nearly 100 years ago, Henry Ford let his color preference be known with a legendary quote:
You can have any color as long as its black. Launched in the spring of 2002, GloCar
challenges the icon by being any color except black. Clad in injection-molded translucent
plastic panels, it uses LED lights to change the body panel color, intensity and frequency in
response to safety conditions and user preferences. The driver can either stand out or blend
in.
The customizable GloCar was designed to be safe, fun and evoke emotion. The soft glowing
panels serve as a safety feature to make you very visible at night, said Laurens van den
Acker, chief designer at Fords Brand Imaging Group. The rear panel doubles as a brake light,
and the side panels as blinkers. When somebody comes too close, the panels increase in
intensity, signaling the driver to keep a distance.
(Embedded image moved to file: pic26500.jpg)Glocar
The only automobile on display at the exhibit, the GloCar is built around a lightweight
aluminum space frame with aluminum extrusions and castings. It is powered by fuel cell
technology.
GloCar came about after extensive socio-cultural and technological trend research. The
research determined five scenarios of the future: the unfolding universe, the mosaic society,
the experiential society, the sustainable society and the caring society. These scenarios
were used to anticipate future consumer needs and provide solutions for new challenges the
automotive industry might face, said van den Acker. The intended user is always the end user
the customer.
Based on the scenarios, designers explored possible trends. Among the most important were
safety and sustainability. Sixty percent of accidents happen at intersections at night. Being
seen is key in avoiding this. The GloCar allows you to be seen from all angles, not just
headlights and taillights. In addition, the GloCar can potentially eliminate the need for
vehicle paint, thus eliminating waste as well as reducing complexity at the manufacturer by
making only one version of the vehicle.
The ecological and bottom line benefits might be obvious, but the positive social impact of
the GloCar is also important. The GloCar projects an image of concern, safety, intelligence
and lightness and takes the car from an aggressor to a protector, said van den Acker.
Imagine hundreds of GloCars, brightening up a city. It shows a future where cars become more
intelligent and optimistic.
sounds like a neat idea to me
