Each year, the Los Angeles Auto Show holds a design challenge that allows the major manufacturers to showcase styling ideas and technology based around a specific theme. This year’s theme was “Youth Mobile, 2030” and posed the question, “How will a new generation of drivers age 16-23, raised with cell phones, web cams and online communities, emotionally connect to the automobile in 2030?” This is especially interesting to The College Driver because our readers directly correlate with the target of these concept cars. Out of the six entries in the challenge, only one could take top honors, but each submission succeeded in displaying the innovations that may someday benefit our automobiles.

            
In the future, General Motors proposes an overlap between the automotive and video gaming universes. The “Car Hero” concept takes driving beyond a simple process of getting from A to B and makes it a fun, interactive experience. The car consists of an autonomous driver that challenges you and increases your control as your driving skill level increases. The car is also able to deliver a digital driving environment called fantasy drive, and a feature that allows you to take your friends on a virtual joyride. The General Motors Hero is an amusing, original concept that centers on the theme of the challenge.
      
Individuality and creativity are important notions to the younger generation. Mazda zeroed in on these ideas with their Souga concept. Each buyer will be able to custom design and build their personal car using the Web site VMazda. People can share their ideas and design mentors will guide them through the process. Mazda can also use feedback from the site for future production cars. When plans are finalized, the buyer puts down $2000 for the car and is charged a monthly bill for electricity and service costs. After a two year period, the buyer can choose to renew his or her ‘plan’.

Honda continues the idea of individuality, but with a biological twist. The Honda Helix pulls information from each individual owner’s DNA to best adapt the vehicle to suit his or her needs. The car uses this information to alter its unique attributes over its ownership period. Bio-receptors in the cockpit pull more data about the occupants’ immediate condition to further optimize their environment. The Helix responds to external conditions like traffic and can shift its shape, color and material properties for ideal operation.
            
The Audi Youth Mobile concept consisted of two separate cars revealing the future of autonomous car design. The eSpira and eOra demonstrate that cars can drive themselves and be fun at the same time. Both use intuitive technology to observe driver movements and intentions to tell the car how to respond. The eSpira takes on a luxurious, sweeping form while the eOra is a more upright design and the sportier of the two. The Audi concept cars feature futuristic hubless wheels and large clear overhead canopies.

           

The Toyota LINK is an abstract mass transit concept designed with the students of 2030 in mind. These driving “pods” are to be rented from local stations called hubs and pose an economical alternative to car ownership. The LINK completely immerses its users in a wireless social network from the moment they leave the hub until they reach their destination. The social network allows drivers to communicate with one another, stream music, obtain class information and even change the exterior appearance of the vehicle. The LINK has no wheels, but rather conductive spheres that convert friction into electricity that can charge the batteries while in use. 

          

Concept vehicles commonly exhibit an innovative electric power source and the Nissan V2G is no exception. The V2G is a grid vehicle created to run on specially designed electrified roads. The car can also be modified by the factory to run on its own without the grid system. Reusable exterior panels allow owners to customize the Nissan to their liking. V2G drivers pay for a low cost usage plan similar to the Mazda Souga concept. The affordability combined with the inventive, environmentally friendly platform of Nissan’s design made it the top choice of judges for the 2009 Design Challenge.