Vehicle innovators pushing the boundaries at design showcase

Students reveal futuristic projects which could shape cars of tomorrow
Got the power: Patrick Carton, one of the winners at the Pilkington Vehicle Design Awards

The design of — and technology in — cars has never moved faster, leading many to wonder how our cars will look in 10 or 20 years’ time.

One way of getting a glimpse is to visit the annual Royal College of Art’s Vehicle Design graduate exhibition, where the fruits of its vehicle design course are laid bare. Its illustrious graduates have made a major impact on the world of car design for years, and the show is renowned for revealing unfolding talent.

The design course culminated in the 29th annual Pilkington Vehicle Design Awards, where students showcased their work after being tasked with delivering insight into the “most innovative trends shaping the future of the automotive industry”.

Nominated students competed for two awards — Best Use of Glazing, won by Patrick Carton, 24, from Ireland, and Best Design Interpretation, won by Javier Garcia-Gallardo, 25, from Spain.

Carton’s winning design, “Thrive”, aims to revolutionise the concept of rural mobility. His self-sustainable vehicle uses “piezoelectric” materials which create an electric charge when put under mechanical pressure. It lets the vehicle generate power from the rain, wind and sunlight, operating without the need for a charging point or petrol.

Garcia-Gallardo’s design is an intriguing two-part transport package including a publicly owned, autonomous mobility device, or “back wheel”, that can also be harnessed to a range of different “bolt-ons”, tailored to the individual, offering private mobility in a public transport world.

The students presented to an expert judging panel, including luminaries from the industry such as Earl Beckles of Jaguar Land Rover Design.

“It’s so encouraging to see how these young designers are pushing the boundaries of innovation,” says Mike Greenall, competition judge and director of automotive R&D programmes at NSG Group.

“The next decade represents a pivotal time for the automotive industry, with new technology and sustainability concerns likely to exert a significant influence on industry trends. On today’s evidence, these students will be at the forefront of this evolution.”

Professor Dale Harrow, at the RCA, says the designs demonstrated “immense potential”, adding: “Previous graduates have gone on to work for some of the industry’s biggest names, and I’m confident this year’s will make their mark on the fast-changing world of automotive design.”

The exhibition is open on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 8pm on the RCA’s Kensington Campus, Kensington Gore, W8. More at rca.ac.uk

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