Technology has long been intertwined with the automotive industry. Since the introduction of basic tools like satellite navigation, to the latest developments in hybrid and electric powertrains, without technology in our vehicles we would quite literally find ourselves lost and powerless. Until recently though, the actual hardware enabling these features has seldom been made visible within automotive design. Standard practice has historically taught us to keep anything that the consumer won’t readily understand tucked away, shielded within unassuming black boxes, hidden deep within the depths of our vehicles.
As OEM groups worldwide turn their attention towards electrification and autonomy however, technology is transitioning from being a value-added luxury to becoming the primary differentiator between vehicle brands. No surprise then that advance design studios are starting to experiment with technology first aesthetics, as brands strive to build trust in their advancements by reinventing themselves to appeal to the next generation of tech curious consumers.