Skip to end of metadata
Go to start of metadata

You are viewing an old version of this page. View the current version.

Compare with Current View Page History

« Previous Version 6 Next »

HMW questions, sometimes known as How Do We (HDW) questions, are short questions used to kick-off the ideation process.


The interior team has been coming up with a plethora of HDW questions that we feel have an important impact on the interior experience:

HDW QuestionPossible Solutions
HDW allow for good drivability although the seat is fixed? Especially for us short people?
  • Adjustable "stackable" seat cushions that fold under the seat when not needed
  • Inflatable seat bolsters
  • Adjustable seat top
  • Adjustable booster seat
  • Adjustable seat-back/angle
HDW present visual information to the driver without cluttering their field of view?
  • Unified screens that live in the same area or flow into each other (think one long continuous screen vs all over the place) 
HDW keep temperature comfortable for occupants?
  • Adjustable fans!
  • Fans in the seats
  • Air conditioner
  • Tinted windows
  • Cold drinks and cooler
  • camelback cooler
  • cooling vests
  • cooling collars
  • openable windows
  • naca ducts in window
  • interior color both for temp and for visual
  • heat conducting fabric
  • mesh seats
  • cooling towels (frog towels)
  • cooling pillows
  • old fashioned fans
HDW reduce cognitive load for drivers?
  • Autopilot (especially when driver is tired)
  • Intuitive control locations
  • Adjustable driver controls set-up (steering wheel, pedals, seat)
  • entertainment system
  • music for driver
  • lane detection
  • 'focus mode' for screens - less reading - faster information understanding through icons, easy to read charts
  • 'dark mode' - less eye strain
  • audio cues
  • visual cues
  • voice controls - google assistant
  • maps
  • quieter interior
  • tinted windshield strip, not be blinded by sun
HDW prioritize information coming to driver
  • Adopt less-is-more approach
  • Use mix of audio, visual, and haptic notifications
HDW make interior feel more legit. Less student team, more actual car
  • Focus on completion, less on perfection
  • cover up chassis tube
  • Soft materials
  • Sculptable materials
  • Emphasis on delivering a complete, seamless interior and less on the perfect interior
  • Air freshener
  • Playfulness to interior
HDW minimize noise inside cabin
  • Work with mechanical to reduce number of 'loose' components
  • Install foam between components are squeaking against each other
  • Do some real life "bumpy road" testing
HDW make interior feel more aesthetically pleasing
  • Ensure we have a unified theme throughout the interior
  • Make sure we have a complete interior (no exposed edges, chassis tubes)
  • curve everything
  • integrate as many of the features as possible using curved panels
  • eg. Middle panel over catamaran to camouflage the middle “battery box” bump
  • Interior lighting design - RGB BABYYYY
  • Use lighting to hide stuff
HDW optimize storage space (for extra cushioning for the car seats, for passenger to put their belongings, cups, etc).
  • Finding storage space
  • "Ski pass"
  • Storage in dash area
  • Storage along catamaran
  • Storage under seats
  • storage over head ( or behind seats)
  • armrest
HDW make long road trips comfortable, blood flow
  • Vented seats
  • Adjustable cushions
  • Adjustable headrest
  • Nice padding
HDW make egress better/ safer
  • No sharp edges
  • Padding along areas where you might hit your head (not visible but hidden under headliner)
  • Use of squishy/softer materials
  • steps near catamaran
HDW make the car more accessible (getting in/out)
  • Well-placed handles
  • Extendable handles
  • Seat somehow slides forward to make it easier to get in/out
  • Steering wheel moves out of the way
  • seat does a 90 degree turn
HDW maximize use of extra space given we are an EV
  • Storage in dash area
  • "frunk?"
  • proper trunk this time
  • storage "shelves" or compartments
  • tie down straps for large items (bikes, strollers)
HDW minimize amount of space components take space. 
  • Storable/multi-use features (think tiny apartments). Keep interior space clean
  • Arm rest also serves as table
HDW entertain drivers/passengers
  • Ipads in seat back for rear passengers
  • Built-in wifi
  • Charging ports for phones and laptops
HDW keep people awake. Especially driver
  • Built-in espresso machine
  • caffeine pill dispenser 
  • Trivia through sound system
  • Australian Q&A signs
  • Curated spotify playlist
  • Snacks
  • Built-in freezer for ice cream
  • Car reminds you to take break! Rewards you with points
    • Drowsiness detection system (seen with volvo,audi,mercedes cars) that warns driver when they're sleepy/lane deviation
    • Also possible with connection to fitbit that can track low heart rate when driver is sleepy?
HDW let people sleep. Everyone but the driver
  • Sun shades along windows for rear passenger
  • Noise-cancelling headphones
  • Sleeping masks
  • Midsun-branded pillows
HDW not get blinded by the sun
  • Sun visors for driver/navigator
HDW maximize range of motion in the car. Legspace, armspace, etc
  • Non constricting seats
  • Padded material that you can easily move inside (vs rigid shell)
HDW inform driver/passenger where they are. i.e where is the nearest gas station? or lunch spot?
  • Fun google maps integrations
  • Pre-made "Midnight Sun" branded trivia cards and guidebook based on route
  • Trip-advisor integration
HDW use drive-thru's. Openable windows
  • Openable windows
  • Maybe fold open (what they did before the age of roll-down windows)
HDW keep the sun from being annoying to passengers
  • Tinted windows
  • Those cool retractable mesh sun shades for windows
  • Partition
HDW make the interior nice for eating in
  • Fold-out table
  • Built-in cooler compartment
  • Vending machine
  • easy-clean materials used for interior rather than easily staining materials
HDW make the car easier to service
  • Think about key areas the standard consumer would need access to
HDW choose materials that are aesthetically pleasing, utilitarian, and are good for ventilation.
  • Look at materials used in high-end ergonomic seats
  • Use materials used in mesh-vented backpacks
  • Look at innovative vehicle seating in the market
HDW allow drivers/passengers to communicate easily with each other?
HDW allow drivers/passengers to communicate externally?
HDW allow drivers/passengers to easily figure out and take steps to solve what went wrong?
HDW market the car to be appealing to the average consumer?
HDW introduce innovative ideas that inspire excitement for futuristic consumer solar cars?
Hdw ensure safety of riders without airbags


  • No labels