UMEÅ INSTITUTE OF DESIGN MFA TRANSPORTATION DESIGN DEGREE PROJECT
SHANGHAI, CHINA JUNE 2021
Geely Sooyun
BY WANYI DU
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 4 ABSTRACT 6
INTRODUCTION 8 PROCESS 12
RESULTS 56
CONCLUSIONS & REFLECTIONS 74 REFERENCES 76
APPENDIX 78
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 01
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past five months. Thank you for your concern, patience, encouragement, and help!
Special thanks to the Geely team for sponsoring, especially during the period of the epidemic. Thank you, Mark Oldham, for all the fresh ideas and kindly concerns. Thank you, Brandon Pan. Thank you, Gala Meng and Boyang Guo, for the gratuitous help on Blender. Big thanks to Damon Zhong for his outstanding support from the beginning to the end.
A great thanks to my best friend Liu Zeng, who accompany me when I was down and share food with me when I was busy and exhausted. You are the best roommate in the world. Thank you, Nan Wang, who gives me the most seasonable feedback and helpful guidance whenever I suffer toughness.
I also want to say thanks to the most excellent UID team. Although we were not in a studio during the thesis process. The remote greetings never absent.
Thanks to Jonas Sandström and Demian Horst for always being open to questions. The sincere advice helps significantly throughout the whole process. Thank you, Sam Livingstone and Aina Nilsson-Ström, for all the input during the review session.
Last but not least, I would like to say thank you to my family for the unconditional support and love during the long journal. Thank you, Guohui Xu, Guo Li, and Shuzhen Liu.
ABSTRACT 02
INSPIRATION PROCESS
Part of the inspiration for this project is the excellent development and changes of Shanghai, where the author lives.
At present, urbanization is more and more serious, and the urban population density continues to increase. To deal with this kind of phenomenon, the infrastructure and transportation of the city should be developed continuously. Think about 40 years from now. The city will be in an unpredictable state.
Unquestionably, at that moment, single ground traffic is far from handling the traffic load of the entire city. This thought is evident when the author stands on the Oriental Pearl Tower.
She saw skyscrapers are landing everywhere. How will people walk through skyscrapers in the future? What should be the embodiment of their traffic freedom? Concept-wise, the author hopes to encourage people to think more boldly about the possibility of flying.
In this project, the author speculates the development direction of the future city based on the early research. Then use it as the background to explore the user demands. It is a process of repeatedly investigating the development, including collecting information, identifying target users, brainstorming, sketching, modeling and rendering, etc. These steps are often alternated due to some feedback or new inspiration.
RESULT
The result of the project is a city air taxi, Geely Sooyun. This concept is mainly aimed at business tourists in Shanghai. In current years, the population of business travelers is increasing.
However, the time wasted in traffic jams is a real pain for these groups. Geely Sooyun provides a more pleasant and meaningful trip by uninterrupted and efficient transportation between buildings.
Technology and medicine breakthroughs have made people live longer and healthier. However, it raises other issues about overpopulation and overcrowding. At present, More than half of the world’s population lives and works in urban areas (Nairobi, 2001). According to the United Nations, the number is expected to increase to over 66% by 2050, which indicates that the urban population is expanding at a very high rate. Due to the increasing population, the demand for living space grows at an astonishing rate. It also leads to the destruction of forests. Land becomes scarce, and the amount of livable space shrinks. At this point, vertical cities are emerging as a solution to solve this growing problem. Tens of thousands of new skyscrapers will be built by 2050 if current trends continue. Analysis suggests a 9 percent chance that the world’s tallest building in 2050 will be a mile high (Auerbach, Wan, 2018). Skyscraper includes all necessary functions of a community and surrounded by green space for parks and agriculture.
The development of vertical space has brought new challenges to transportation. Unlike horizontal cities, traditional vehicles and elevators can no longer meet the travel needs of residents in vertical cities. A vertical mobility system is expected to build lasting and attractive cities. Transportation tools such as ropeless elevators and flying taxis assist in the daily travel of residents in skyscrapers. The rope-less elevator helps residents move efficiently within the large-scale architecture, and the emergence of flying taxis brings people to better communication between buildings.
To achieve vertical transportation, further exploration of air travel services is needed. Point-to-point air travel is indispensable.
So how to maximize the benefits of air transport and further improve the travel experience? The universalization of air transport requires a bold and innovative system to support.
BACKGROUND
INTRODUCTION 03
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UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The urbanization process in the Asia-Pacific region is proceeding at an unprecedented speed and scale. The rapid urbanization linked to economic growth has brought new opportunities and challenges to sustainable and inclusive development. The UNDP Strategic Document on Sustainable and Inclusive Urbanization in the Asia-Pacific Region aims to support governments and local governments. National and local partners including communities to achieve inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities. In this regard, the document emphasizes the development of more inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities.
The 2030 agenda for sustainable development, adopted by all Member States of the United Nations in 2015, provides a standard blueprint for peace and prosperity for humankind and also the planet now and within the future. At its core are the 17 sustainable development goals, an urgent appeal for all countries - developed and developing - to act during a global partnership. They recognize that the economy must go hand in hand with addressing temperature change and protecting the oceans and forests.
Every city in the world is suffering from climate change.
A large number of greenhouse gas emissions will destroy the environment people live. Besides, gradually increasing
population flows into the city, which makes the city continue to spread on the map and invades the original farms and forests and destroys the diversity of animals.
It is time to come up with a solution to balance man and nature.
There is no mistake for people to go into cities and make the city a better place—nevertheless, excessive urbanization crowd out many agricultural areas and forest areas. The unlimited expansion will lead to environmental damage. Finally, it leads to climate change. People need more land and space to create economic profits. Why not make better use of vertical space? To some point, vertical space is close to infinity. It is a great challenge to make people live better in the existing urban area. When people live in higher buildings, they have higher requirements for environment and experience. People’s happiness index in large indoor space is also a very important issue. Saving time between unnecessary high altitude and ground traffic is a great benefit of air traffic in the future.The author hopes that this concept can have a certain inspiration for the future sustainable development and touch the goal 3, 9, 11 and 15 during the process of design.
The project set out a way to improve the transportation system of the vertical city, reduce the tension of ground travel, and promote the travel experience of urban high-rise residents.
“If there are no trees, there is no oxygen.”
- Paulina Par
PROCESS
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4.1 Sprawling Shanghai 4.2 Megatrends
4.3 Research conclusion 4.4 Motivation
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4.5 Breifing
4.6 Creative development
SHANGHAI TRANSFORMATIONS
Shanghai is a modern coastal megacity located in East China, with 6340.5 square kilometers and a population of approximately 26.3 million. Geologists who have studied urban expansion in China tend to use one word to describe the rate of change: unprecedented. As one of China’s megacities, Shanghai is growing at the rate of 700000 to 800000 people per year.
Shanghai’s development plan includes both central and peripheral development. The Comprehensive Plan of Shanghai 1999–2020 already reflects the intention to transform in these two areas. Firstly, there were plans for the urbanization of the suburbs. Secondly, Shanghai aimed to achieve world city standards with systematic urban protection and renewal initiatives to improve citizens’ life quality. Landsat satellites have taken images over Shanghai, which shows the growing footprint of the land between 1984 and 2019. Such a surge of
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4.1 SPRAWLING SHANGHAI
urbanization began in the 1980s when the Chinese government opened up the economic and foreign trade market to the outside world. Shanghai has become a prosperous city from the countryside and has gradually developed into a vast metropolis. (The Atlantic, 2016) Rapid urbanization brings contradictory results to cities:
the number of cities increases rapidly, the size of towns expands continuously, the urban functions become more and more complex, and the differences among urban individuals become larger and larger.
Shanghai has always enjoyed a culture of tolerance and coexistence. It is an open city, ready to seize the opportunity and let its citizens show their talents and creativity. This tradition of competition lays the foundation for its vitality and progressive nature, and this entrepreneurial spirit makes it different from other cities in
China. (Zheng Shiling,2005) 07
IMPACT ON THE CITY
Positive Effect
In any case, urbanization will still bring benefits to cities, mainly in terms of technological development, improved transportation, quality education and medical facilities, job creation, and improvement of people’s living standards.
Urbanization develops the country’s commercial sector by providing more employment opportunities and a more diversified economy. Commercialization and trade offer better business opportunities and returns for cities and towns than for rural areas. As the interaction, work, and exchange between different cultures and economies become closer and closer, the integration of cultures becomes smoother (Li Woke,2013). So urbanization, if it happens in the proper context, can have some positive effects.
WHAT IS URBANIZATION ?
Urbanization is one of the most powerful and visible anthropogenic forces the world. (Dawson et al., 2009).
In 1957, 30% of the global population lived in cities. It reached 50% in 2008 and an estimated 70% is projected to live in the urban areas by 2050 (United, 2007a).
Urbanization refers to the movement of rural people to cities and how societies adapt to this change. It is mainly due to a large number of people thinking that rural areas are rugged and backward. The population began to move into developed areas and central areas to live and work and expand towns and cities.
The United Nations cited two intertwined reasons for urbanization: The overall growth of the population and the rising trend of population flowing into cities.(Iman Ghosh,2019)
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Negative Effect
The expansion of cities has had global, regional and local impacts on the global climate. Urbanization has greatly affected the temperature and wind field near the surface of the region, thereby affecting air quality, human comfort and health. It is estimated that under the influence of urbanization, the average surface temperature in southeastern China has increased by 0.05°C every ten years. (Zhou et al., 2004) Problems related to environmental pollution are also becoming more and more severe in Shanghai. In Asian countries, megacities account for about 16% of total anthropogenic sulfur emissions, and the amount of waste generated has increased from 960,000 tons in 1950 to 890,000 tons in 2010. (Guttikunda et al., 2003)
The pollution impact of Shanghai’s urbanization also involves wastewater discharge and exhaust gas discharge. The average annual wastewater discharge in Shanghai is 2.096 billion tons. Pollutants can affect human
health in a variety of short and long-term ways. People with health problems such as asthma, heart disease, and lung diseases may also suffer from environmental pollution. Urbanization has become a grave public health challenge. In Shanghai, the total number of patients attending medical institutions increased from 5.4 year- end residents in 2000 to 9.1 at the end of 2010. The increase in the proportion of patients in Shanghai is partly due to environmental pollution in urbanization. (Khoo et al., 2003)
Besides, the high population growth resulted from the large number of people moving to cities and towns.
Housing problems and lack of space arise as the number of people living in urban centers increases. Because of overpopulation, urban areas are often congested with cars on the roads and large numbers of people living in cramped housing. This congestion will increase as more people move to cities.
future isn’t just office for 50 floors. It’s office for ten floors; it’s multifamily for 15; it’s a hotel for ten;
a club area at the top of the building. And that, to us, is the real future of the high-rise.”
- Aditya Sanghvi
VERTICAL CITY
Vertical City (VC) is the city’s construction along the height direction, with a large volume, which can be simply understood as a vast building. The whole building is closed, spacious, and isolated from the natural environment. It is an entire living space for human beings. Vertical cities are very compact. The utilization rate of urban land can be increased dozens of times.
The shortage of land resources and the excessively high price of real estate in first-tier cities can be completely solved. The property cost of 3d city is mainly the construction cost of the city, the land cost is almost zero, everyone can afford it.
The improvement of land use efficiency means that more land can return to nature, with healthier natural ecology and more opportunities for people to return to nature. A vertical city is a genuine, smart city. In principle, all people, all things, all facilities, can be connected to the internet. The mild indoor and friendly environment has created conditions for robots to undertake various services in the future. In traditional cities, people’s daily task is a battle with nature. In the early days, they
drove away wild animals, built walls, built houses for shelter, and wore clothes to keep warm. Modern city life still needs to fight against nature, against the cold, against the heat. Rain, snow, hail, and haze all seriously affect daily human life.
Vertical cities close up the living space of human beings and have the slightest contact and interaction with nature. It is the most harmonious way for human beings to get along with nature that human beings do not interfere with wildlife and nature does not retaliate against human beings. The development of cities has dramatically expanded the vertical area while reducing the horizontal size. The construction of a vertical city can be extended layer by layer, and the upper living space can be built without affecting the function of the city below. Megalopolis can be built into three-dimensional urban clusters, connected between buildings by a high-capacity rapid transit system. The traffic between any two points of the entire urban set can be no more than half an hour. It also brings the benefits of continuous construction, continuous use, and low financial cost.
4.2 MEGATRENDS
One of the biggest unanswered questions in vertical cities is how to efficiently transport thousands of people up and down and between mile-high towers? It is not practical to rely on traditional elevators in vertical cities. The higher an elevator is designed to be, the longer and heavier its cables must be. It means a larger engine is needed to drive the elevator, and more severe brakes are needed to stop the elevator. Each floor requires a disproportionate amount of energy, maintenance, and upkeep. The higher the height of the elevator, the less efficient it is. That’s why when we go to the top of a large building, we often need to transfer to an elevator. Therefore, the cordless elevator will be a development direction in the future.
On the other hand, cities also face additional challenges, especially traffic congestion. Travel times in the 50 largest cities in the world are 40% longer than they should, which means people spend hundreds of hours each year sitting in unnecessary traffic. Urban traffic congestion in developed countries causes about 1.7 trillion US dollars in losses every year. If the problem is not solved reasonably, it may increase by nearly 30% by 2030. In emerging countries, unless cities become more efficient, rising incomes and increasing urbanization may double the cost of traffic congestion to US$2 trillion in the next decade. On a global scale, the cost may reach 3.5% of global GDP. Even if you take a car for 30 minutes a day, it only accounts for 7% of your working time. It is unproductive and stressful, and as the scale of the city expands, the pressure on the Internet will also increase. (James Pomeroy, 2019) In the face of such problems, the development of 3D transportation is just around the corner.
Recently, ThyssenKrupp Elevator came up with a solution inspired by the technology of Japan’s new maglev bullet train.
The technology uses powerful magnets to propel the train at record-breaking speeds, levitating it four inches above the track. Similar to the subway system, the new elevator design consists of self-propelled cabins that move in a circle: up, level, down, level, and up again. This will allow multiple cabins to travel at the same time. ThyssenKrupp estimates that the design will increase the lift’s capacity by 50%. It means reducing waiting time and space requirements. The new system is also expected to save electricity, making it more economical and environmentally friendly. If all goes well, this new technology will allow resources and housing to be transported efficiently in the vertical cities of the future. (ThyssenKrupp, 2014)
ROPELESS ELEVATOR
Air Taxi Service (ATS) is an on-demand in-flight transport for a single or a small group of passengers, aiming to change the way of daily commutes work. This uncharted territory in the emerging transport sector is expected to allow consumers to avoid congestion on urban road networks. By adopting the Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing concept (EVTOL), the air taxi can operate on an airport converted from the roof of a building, thereby gaining an advantage from an implementation point of view. (SuchithraRajendran, 2020)
AIR TAXI SERVICE (ATS)
Riding a cable car is more efficient than other forms of public transportation on the ground. In addition, they can be built much faster than other alternatives. In contrast, it can take up to five years to install a tram, while a cable car usually takes about two years. Once completed, their noise pollution levels are also shallow. Moreover, these aerial ropeways require less land than other public transportation systems. Like the subway network, the station is the only element that needs to occupy space within the urban structure, so there is little interference with the existing network. A better urban design, improved public transportation, and fewer cars will produce enormous benefits to the city. It currently has a top speed of 36 km/h and a travel time of 6.5 minutes. Each cabin can accommodate up to 50 passengers, and the cable car system can transport 450 people per hour.
FUTURE CABLE
NEW TRANSPORTATION POSSIBILITIES
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Biophilic design is an approach to architecture that tries to connect building occupants more closely to nature.
Architectures with biophilic design incorporate natural lighting, natural landscape features, and other elements to create a more productive and healthy environment for people.
The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, stress- related illnesses, like mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease, are the top two leading causes of illness. With the weakening of the connection to nature, the increasing pressure on urban space, and the ubiquitous presence of technology, we have few opportunities to restore our mental and physical energy. Research shows that incorporating direct or indirect elements of nature into a built environment can reduce stress, blood pressure levels, and heart rate while increasing productivity, creativity, and self-reported happiness. (J. Clancy, 2015)
Workplace design pioneers like Apple, Google, and Amazon are investing heavily in biophilic design elements. These principles have been shown to enhance employee’s focus, engagement, and cognitive competence and attract and retain employees in the “ war for talent. “ The concept also applies to buildings and facades, improving the urban landscape from scenes of steel and cement to a greener one, where artifacts seamlessly blend with natural elements for the benefit of our minds, bodies, and souls.
“It’s important to remember that biophilic design is not an aesthetic or stylistic choice, but an outcome that helps nature and people thrive.”
- Susie Teal
BIOPHILIC DESIGN
WHY BIOPHILIC ARCHITECTURE?
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ONE CENTRAL PARK – SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
BOSCO VERTICALE – MILAN, ITALY
THE JEWEL – SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE The vertical garden that extends over 50 meters above the building uses a hydroponic system, which demonstrates the possibilities of biophilic design in the building.
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16 Bosco Verticale increases urban biodiversity not only with
plants but also offering a home to various species of birds and insects.
The Jewel is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex in Singapore’s Changi Airport. At its center is the Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by a forest deck on the promenade. (Aditi Doshi, 2020)
CURRENT APPLICATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE
FUTURE OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
17 Recycling helps support the plastic economy rather than providing a
viable solution to environmental pollution. And it doesn’t change the fundamental problems. It helps to continue the dependence on fossil- based polymers.
”The plastic soup won’t go away by recycling plastic.
We need materials that are nearer to nature, that are in dialogue with nature. That’s where the solution is.”
- Jan Boelen
RECYCLING “RELIEVES OUR GUILT”
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BIOPLASTIC
“We should change which kind of materials we source, how we manufacture, what we use them for, everything.”
- Jan Boelen
A kind of bioplastics made from algae tries to replace traditional plastics. Designers mix algae with starch to create a type of multi-purpose biodegradable material.
Algae is decadent and utterly compostable material. It grows fast and has a wide range of resources. There are more than 100000 kinds of algae, which can absorb greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Besides, algae grow in water, which is a good choice because it does not involve the use of agricultural land to produce raw materials. The whole production process also causes minor damage to nature. Such magical biomaterials can be used for 3D
printing, making all kinds of shapes and giving functions. Through injection molding, it can change shape and even be made into textiles in the future.
In addition to algae, Luma Atelier, an offshoot of nonprofit arts institute Luma Foundation, is also studying how to turn salt and waste from sunflower farming into building materials.
The application of biomaterials will promote the development of environmental protection and industry in the future. (Marcus Fairs,2018)
4.3 RESEARCH CONCLUSION
Shanghai’s population is growing and urbanizing at an unprecedented rate. In the future, the city’s skyline will be composed of a large number of high-rise buildings, connected by several overpasses and cable cars, forming a large building complex. The building contains comprehensive living facilities, such as school, accommodation, office, and park. Simultaneously, much bionic design and biological designs will be used in every corner of the building to balance people’s life pressure and meet the needs of natural elements. The future vertical greening will bring new living space experience to urban residents at every level.
Biomaterials will also be respected by most manufacturers and companies, which will be widely used in all aspects of people’s lives.
Although the current mobility conversation revolves around autonomous vehicles and rides sharing, fixed-route transportation solutions do not seem coordinated. The new car-centric option may not ultimately solve the traffic congestion problem. Therefore, it is essential to have multiple travel solutions to provide commuters with alternative options from point A to point B. As modern cities were becoming denser and built vertically to achieve intelligent and sustainable growth, more and more new vehicles are
New vehicles, especially urban air mobility, can relieve the pressure on the ground. People’s travel experience is not limited to the boring mobile phone in the carriage. From the visual experience of passengers to the communication experience, even the entire service system can be upgraded to a new level in the future.
PROCESS WISHES
The author of the thesis sees breaking the traditional impression of existing vehicles as a personal wish. Vehicles in the future will not be limited to transport on the ground. It can be used in different scenarios and perfectly integrated into ecological building systems.
- Think outside of the comfort zone, and try more boldly on materials and shapes during the process.
- If there is enough time, it would be nice to build a physical model in the end.
- The finished result has a chance to influence other transportation designers or designers in other fields when thinking about future urban air mobility.
- Be healthy and positive during the whole journey.
4.4 MOTIVATION
PERSONAL GOALS
Three-dimensional urban planning and the progress of aviation technology will release the potential of aircraft.
- With this thesis, the author explained how flying vehicles would fit into the ecological architecture in the future concept of the vertical city and give passengers a relaxed and meaningful air journey experience.
- This thesis’s primary goal is to design a coherent and finished product with thoughts about the future megacities and 3D transportation systems.
- A vital aspect of the project is to build a vision of the future vertical city with multi-modal transportation and integrate the product into it.
- The whole product is mainly focused on the interior and includes some thoughts on the exterior. Also, a detailed CAS model is part of the plan.
A space for max. 3 passengers
- light - sustainable - comfort
- clean and fresh air
- personalized viewing range of high altitude - social focus area
A seamless service
- time cloud automatically generates orders - no transit
- natural transformation of space
An efficient air transport mode
- top speed of 300 km / h - average speed of 200 km / h
DESIGN OPPOTUNITIES
4.5 BRIEFING
LIMITATIONS AND FOCUS
The story is set in Shanghai in 2060. There is bold surmise about the use of materials and lifestyle in the project. Some of the scenes are based on assumptions of an existing forms analysis. Under the general trend of vertical development, the author gives a feasible solution about the future integration of flying taxi system and ecological building.
As for the design part, the focus will be on the interior of the air taxi. Exterior and architectural design are also part of the story, but not the main focus. The product serves a variety of different buildings. The building in the project is a simple interpretation of the skyscraper of the future.
Due to limitation of time, the author will only give some clues about the shape of the exterior and then leave some imagination.
4.6 CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Geely Sooyun’s service range is from 15 km to 75 km, covering the entire urban area of Shanghai. The service range will not include the short distance flight within 15 km, considering the take-off and landing energy consumption. The demand of this part of passengers will be met by short distance fast vehicles such as fast cable car.
The take-off and landing time of the plane is about five minutes. Therefore, Around 12 air taxis can take off from each departure point every hour. During peak service hours, taxis prioritize users who have reserved in advance, and provisional orders from users will be sent to each gate as soon as possible. The dispatch center will deliver flying taxis from the nearest aircraft docking headquarters to
SERVICE & SYSTEM
The future of urban veritical transport includes fast cable cars, air taxis and ropeless elevators. Geely Sooyun focuses on discussing the development of air taxis.
The primary purpose of the product is to give business travelers a faster, unforgettable air travel experience. In 2060, people’s work will be more dependent on technology and electronic products. The timetable will be more compact. People’s travel time is also relatively concentrated, which further led to the concept of people’s travel is different. The Sooyun concept gives a rapid and direct continuous service, directly from building to building. Instead of being stuck on land, sitting in a car going from street to street. It lets users explore the city from different angles. And also, it will help users save more time and
improve their quality of life. The cost of air transportation in the future will be much lower than what people pay for private jet leasing today. The price per passenger is even close to the cost of a taxi if it’s a 100-kilometer journey with three passengers.
Sooyun Station is established in each community and district business center, and the average distance between buildings is about 10 kilometers. Similar to the current distribution density of subway stations. The dispatch station of Geely Sooyun is distributed in various areas of the city. The flight distance between each Sooyun station is about 20 kilometers, which means that during the peak period of flying taxi use. Sooyun can also be there in five minutes to serve passengers.
SPECIFICATIONS
HOW TO BOOK A SERVICE?
Booking a flying taxi service is as simple as booking a ride-hailing service. By booking the time, start place and destination of your trip.
A simple ticket will be sent to your phone. By an additional function, “My Share,” passengers can connect to a holographic projector in the flying taxi. Through the interface, passengers can share pictures and videos with other passengers.
START YOUR AIR TRIP
The author’s original intention is that there is no need to transit the journey, so that between the aircraft into an elevator directly to transport passengers to the floor to be reached. Later, because of the complexity of realizability, it changed to park inside the building so that people could at least avoid exposure to the outside.
Vertiport design is also an important part of this graduation project.
Sooyun vertiport is closely connected to the building. It has a function that similar to the present airport terminal.
TARGET GROUP
Business travelers
- special visitors - new partners - colleague ...
At present, the number of business tourists worldwide accounts is about 1/3 of the total number of tourists. Many famous international hotel chains find that business guests account for 53% of the global housing tourists through the survey. In recent years, a number of new recreational programs has also boosted tourism industury, especially company-sponsored business trips, which has the fastest growth. Around 1.1 billion to 1.8 billion incentive trips are made each year globally. The international conference market is also proliferating. Since the mid-1970s, international conferences have attracted more and more countries and regions because of their extensive influence, high profits, and huge market potential. According to experts’ estimates, with the recovery of the world economy, the annual revenue of the world conference will reach more than 220 billion dollars and the annual growth rate of 8 to 10 percent.
Business tourists take business as their primary purpose. They leave their permanent residence to do business in other cities or foreign countries. The activities of business tourists usually include negotiation, conference, exhibition, and cultural exchange. Business travelers have a clear working schedule. Their usual activities are related to the arrangement of meeting rooms and business centers.
Since corporate public fees usually pay accommodation, Personal spending on shopping and recreation can be generous.
SCENARIO STORIES
Tian is a senior engineer working in Shenzhen. He likes model making and fresh experience. Because of his work, he has to travel to the other suppliers‘
cities every two months to follow up on the projects.
Every time he goes on a business trip, he tries his best to experience a different living environment. He feels that the value of such an experience is unique and priceless.
Tian met the partner who came to pick him up at the airport. They took the Airport Express inside the airport and arrived at the Sooyun station, then started an air tour of the city. The whole journey took only ten minutes, which made them avoid the congested traffic on the ground and saved time for a quick company tour before dinner. In addition, Tian had a simple talk with the partner on the air taxi to understand the general progress and plan of the project.
BUSINESS TRIP // AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER
Jay is a product design director. His company is on Chongming Island. They mainly produce organic products related to natural environmental protection.
Jay used to work in a company in the city center, but slowly he became bored with the congestion and noise of the city, so he chose to open his own studio on Chongming Island, where the population is relatively small. If the team needs to negotiate business, participate in the award ceremony or go to the exhibition. He will choose a flying taxi, fly directly to the city center in the shortest time.Such a journey will be well integrated into his schedule.
AWARD CEREMONY // ISLAND TO CITY CENTER
Helen is a project manager, and she is also a well-known blogger. In a company project, she needed to travel to Japan for four days. The goal was to investigate users and local culture.
Since there was no air taxi stand on the roof of the company building where she was working, the company booked the air taxi on the nearest Sooyun building for her and her translator.
They took the express cable car to the target building and get to the departure hall by elevator. The journey to the airport only took 16 minutes. During the trip, Helen recorded travel videos through the full-size window. Helen likes to share her trips, food, and shopping experience. She planned to edit this trip video of Japan into a blog and share it on social networking sites.
USER RESEARCH // CITY CENTER TO AIRPORT
INTERIOR
EXTERIOR light
bright
open eco-friendly
flowing
expanding
Lightweight and sustainable materials have been chosen for the interior design, in harmony with the flowing and expanding shape of the exterior.
INSPIRATION
The starting idea is to give business people an open communication place when flying in the air. At the same time, they can enjoy the visual experience that other vehicles cannot provide. The interior is inspired by the bright, spacious space. A clean space without too much decoration can give users a different fresh ride experience. Furthermore, the exterior intends to organic, smooth, and more product shape to give the aircraft a light feeling. The organic form can also gain a better association with bionic design.
Another source of inspiration is the picture of a table lamp with a separate assembly structure. A similar structure can be used as an opening way of the aircraft. It avoids passengers’ concerns about the lack of headspace when boarding.
Sustainable Material
Electrochromic materials can be achieved on the window glass to adjust the window’s transparency and block the strong sunlight. By adjusting the transparency of the glass, a private space can be achieved in a second.
Window Material
Electrochromic materials can be achieved on the window glass to adjust the window’s transparency and block the strong sunlight. By adjusting the transparency of the glass, a private space can be achieved in a second.
IDEATION
LAYOUT
The general layout is for three people and luggage space. The seating space for three people can adapt to most scenes. There are many different possibilities for interior decoration. The idea is that this group of people have a space for communication. The seating layout adopts the face-to-face seating arrangement to enhance the communication between people.
EXTERIOR
Early ideation
- liquid hydrogen - self-sufficient - electricity
In the early stage of the project, the author explored the possibility of different energy for aircraft. The main exploration directions are liquid hydrogen energy, self-sufficient in power, and electric energy. All three are clean and environmentally friendly energy options, and the author’s original intention: be in harmony with nature in the future city reduce damage as much as possible.
The author finally chose electric energy.
The main reason is liquid nitrogen storage devices can significantly increase the weight of the body. On the other hand, self-sufficient also have the same problem. Collecting the water from the air and converted it into the fuselage, then use it sounds very sustainable.
Still, the feasibility is yet to be fastidious.
Therefore, when choosing the direction, electricity has become the energy option to continue to promote.
Seat design
- organic - outstretched - soft
The design of the seats are inspired by the releasing form. Incorporating with Geely's expending cosmos philosophy, the free-flowing shape makes the chair look like growing out of the ground.
Share zone A space for
communication is very important for business travelers. The fisrt idea is having a tray table attached to the window.
Passengers can share files on small tables and play videos on side screen.
However, the holographic projector took the place of this idea. Because it’s more futuristic and space- saving.
Lean back and rest
- smooth - integrated - encircled
A retractable device is attached to the headset to enable two seat modes.
Even on short flights, passengers can choose to sit up straight or lean back.
The elastic material used on the back of a chair.
Storage design
- smooth - integrated - encircled
Simple food and drink were also considered in the interior design. Finally, because of the short flight time.
Only drinks will be served in the taxi.
The author tries to design several different drawers to meet the needs of storaging handbags and clothes.
Window design
The design of windows is chiefly for the needs of different users. Some users like panoramic windows to view the scenery outside. The extensive window range can meet the viewing needs of these passengers. Some users may favor the feeling of being surrounded reliably. A space with fewer windows or even without windows is preferred.
The author analyzes various sizes and shapes of windows, the impact of sunlight on the indoor environment, passengers’
needs for the atmosphere. Eventually, choose two kinds of windows with different adjustment range. One is completely open, the other is closed, but with a light bar on the top for glazing.
The author set up a rough 3D model in Blender at this stage. Try to establish the lighting and test the atmosphere of the entire interior.
Door opening method
The author expects passengers to have a fluent and straightforward experience when entering this space, like entering a lobby rather than entering another box. Therefore, the author made different attempts to enter the cabin and finally chose to open the whole ceiling up. The first significant advantage is that the cabin without the ceiling will be similar to a lobby, which is well integrated with the surrounding atmosphere. People will not sense that they have entered a vehicle, which will be the main difference between future and the present vehicles. Later, when the plane was available to take off, the ceiling drops and locks itself, providing people a sense of ceremony. In addition, the panoramic windows on both sides will also rise and come down with the roof so that there is no requirement for more structures to break the viewing range of the window. People can watch the city landscape outside the windows when traveling.
3D MODEL
The 3D model of the thesis design is mainly achieved by Blender. The first thing that was determined was the overall package. Secondly, the author established the main components, such as the seats and the table. Adjust the scale further by adding mannequin.
Finally, after many communications with colleagues and mentors, she improved the surfaces and added details.
RESULTS 05
a
b c
d
e f g
h
a. safety belt
b.holographic projector c. side table
d. luggage storage e. drawer
f. plants
g. moss terrrium h. hidden table
A SKY TOUR
Business travelers have a planned schedule. Some of them may only stay in Shanghai for a day or two. Through such a flight journey. Passengers can enjoy a quiet and private environment. Have a cup of coffee, lie back and enjoy the view out the window. Have a nice moment away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
FROM SIGHTSEEING PLATFORM TO PRIVATE SPACE
To give people a better experience, full-size windows with electrochromic material are designed on both sides of the cabin. People can enjoy the beautiful scenery from the top of the city. With the simple touch of a button found on the armchair, the glass will shift its transparency and create a private space.
A. HIDDEN TABLE
By pressing a button on the arm of a chair, a hidden table between the two chairs slides out. Passengers sitting on the right side can simply place their drinks on the tray table.
A
B
B. STORAGE SPACE FOR SUITCASES AND HANDBAGS
There is a storage area for suitcases behind the chair. When the suitcase is in place, They will be locked. For passengers carrying backpacks and handbags. They can store their items in the drawers next to their luggage.
ROOFTOP VERTIPORTS
Sooyun station is an additional structure built on the top of the original building. It mainly includes the take-off and landing area, the preparation hall, and the sky lobby. The height of the station is about 12 meters. Such a high wall structure can provide good take-off and landing support for the taxi in the high air. Sooyun station has 12 preparation halls. Halls 1 to 6 are the arrival hall, and halls 7 to 12 are the departure hall. The flying taxi will land in the designated area and then slide into the preparation hall.
In this way, Sooyun can provide users with a seamless service and reduce the inconvenience of traffic transfer and the trouble caused by outdoor weather.
Conclusions & Reflections 06
As expected, the project went through several revisions. The most important one is the shift from the exterior to the interior.
Since the topic selection is a challenging future flying transport, it is not a daily way to travel, which means a user experience with distrust and skepticism. Today’s small airplanes are more private, and not everyone wants to experience such an unstable flying feeling. Therefore, the author has been troubled about establishing the trust of users. Of course, existing technology and other research outcomes can help build confidence.
However, only numbers seem too cold to convince people to switch from driving to flying. In other words, the author believes that the design of a trustable interior is the premier choice to dispel suspicious awareness. People necessitate understanding the specific experience process and the system behind it. With this in mind, the author shifted the design focus from exterior to interior.
The author hesitated for a while between Maya and Blender when choosing the modeling software. Because Maya is the software, she is familiar with. Blender is also potent. Through the short application process, she considered that Blender had a prominent advantage. Eventually, the author took the opportunity to explore new modeling knowledge, and Blender became the final decision. It is the author’s first time doing a project in Blender. The learning of CAD modeling skills accompanies the entire process of the ideation session. It can not be said a wise choice or not. It is just a bold try. After all, every project is an excellent opportunity for learn and practice.
Fortunately, it worked out well in the end. Moreover, meanwhile this process, the author has gained numerous proper rendering and quick modeling skills.
Suppose there is a particular point that needs to take out. That is if stuck in a problem, remember to jump out and have a break. It sounds manageable, but it is tough to do. Sometimes people will be confused and do not know whether the efforts and time are worth it or whether they are moving on the right track. It frequently happens in the process of the author’s graduation project. However, going out with others for a quick chat helps. At least, there is feedback from others. Come back later to check what has been done with a new perspective.
New ideas and inspirations may pop up.
The impact of the COVID-19 on this year’s graduates is also apparent. Despite the students already well-prepared after the adjustments and improvements of last year. When everyone is scattered worldwide, remote review for the first time is still very fresh. However, there are also remarkable gains as China’s epidemic situation has steadily improved in 2021. People can live everyday life. The author stayed in a familiar environment during the whole process of graduation design, talking in the mother tongue, eating familiar food. Although there will always be some depressing times, the city and people around make her feel much more enjoyable. It is also a memorable graduation project experience. The author is deeply grateful for every sunny day in Shanghai.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.
If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”
- Steve Jobs
The five months were quick and unforgettable. Each time the joy of getting inspired and the frustration of doubting the direction are vividly in the author’s mind. However, the most important thing is that she is still working on something she believes in and passionately. Being a vehicle designer is a challenging thing. It takes a lot of different abilities. From user research, storytelling, branding, strategy design, sketching, 2D rendering, CAD modeling, etc. Slowing down in any of these areas can lead to doubts about oneself and one’s career. It is understandable. The author and her colleagues are well aware of this. Fortunately, she kept a positive attitude during the whole five months. Although occasionally, there are times when she feels struggle or stays up late. Nevertheless, on the whole, she has reached the goal of facing the graduation project healthily and positively. At the very least, the daily routine of walking and punctual meals was guaranteed, even during the most stressful times of the project.
Last but not least, the author hopes she can do the design with passion in the coming days, meantime, have an ideal balance between work and life. Be a happy transportation designer.
2021.01 2021.06
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REFERENCE 07
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