In my first year studying Communication and Multimedia Design, I was assigned a unique challenge: to create an infotainment system for the Lightyear One. This futuristic car runs entirely on solar energy and was commissioned by WARP (We Are Reasonable People), a sustainability-focused company.

Our objective was to design an infotainment system that would cater to the needs of young drivers aged 18-25. These individuals typically use the car for leisurely purposes, such as driving around town with friends. To create an optimal user experience, we faced the daunting task of eliminating the need for multiple buttons and controls, while still maintaining a user-friendly interface.

Working collaboratively, our team embarked on a mission to design an infotainment system that would revolutionize the way drivers interact with their cars. We recognized the need for a solution that would enable users to access essential features and functions with ease while maintaining a user-friendly interface.

To achieve this goal, we conducted extensive research and testing, resulting in the development of an intuitive infotainment system that places all the car’s functions at the driver’s fingertips. We are proud to have contributed to the advancement of sustainable and user-centric technology.

The project was executed in three iterations, each with a specific focus. During the first iteration, we conducted extensive research on Polestar and Cupra’s infotainment systems to identify best practices. We then created wireframes and tested them with the target audience to gather feedback on usability and functionality.

The second iteration involved further testing and refinement of the wireframes based on user feedback. In the final iteration, we added additional features such as real-time updates on the car’s performance and battery life.

Through our efforts, we were able to deliver a solution that meets the needs of young drivers while promoting sustainable transportation.

During our research phase, we visited both Polestar and Cupra dealers to gain insights into their infotainment systems. Our visit to Polestar gave us a solid foundation to build our own system upon, as we were able to gather professional information about their system. At the Cupra dealer, we had the opportunity to further explore their infotainment system and gain inspiration for our own project. We conducted extensive testing and analysis to ensure that we had a comprehensive understanding of the features and functions that our target audience would find valuable.

Our research at Polestar and Cupra helped us to create an intuitive and user-friendly infotainment system for the Lightyear One that met the needs of our young, recreational drivers.

In order to develop an intuitive climate control system for our users, we conducted extensive research through various sources. We studied case studies online through websites such as Behance and Dribbble to see how other designers approached the same challenge.

Furthermore, we conducted our own research to understand the needs and preferences of our target audience. We asked them about their experiences with climate control systems in their cars and what features they would like to see in our system. Based on their feedback, we created a flowchart to guide us in building our prototype.

The first step in building our prototype was to create wireframes and sketches to visualize our ideas. We then tested these prototypes on our primary group of users to gather feedback and make necessary changes. With each iteration, we refined our designs and made improvements based on the feedback we received.

As a team, we understand the importance of creating a strong and distinct identity for our product. We aimed to create a brand that reflects the values and characteristics of our infotainment system, and resonates with our target audience.

We started by brainstorming and researching various elements such as color palettes, typography, and imagery. Our goal was to create a brand that is modern, youthful, and tech-savvy, reflecting the innovative features and functions of our product.

After several iterations and feedback sessions, we settled on the name “Elektron” for our infotainment system. The name captures the high-tech and futuristic nature of our product, while also being easy to remember and pronounce.

Besides the identity of Elektron I designed the climate control system for a car. The climate control allows the driver to adjust the air conditioning, either individually per seat (driver or passenger), or in a synchronized manner. It includes various features such as windshield heating and seat heating and cooling.

Additionally, I’ve designed various modes to enhance the user experience, such as the Camp Mode and Dog Mode. These modes enable the car to set a fixed climate based on specific situations.

The Elektron infotainment system for Lightyear is aimed at novice drivers between the ages of 18 and 25 who primarily use the car for recreational purposes with friends. Since there can be many distractions in the car, especially when driving with friends, we have designed the system to be simple and easy to use. While driving, the driver’s full focus is on driving, but they are also busy with small activities that make life easier, such as changing music, navigating using an assistive system, climate control, voice control, and using handy smart features such as sign reading and Google Assistant. In short, the driver is confident in their driving skills, but they are not yet an experienced user.

The Elektron infotainment system automatically turns on when the car is started. You will then see a short animation and be prompted to select a profile, which loads all personal settings. At the top, there is a bar displaying various important functions that you should be able to access with a quick glance. Clicking on one of these items takes you to the full screen of that feature. You also receive the latest information about the weather. If you want to delve further into the weather, you can click on it.

Oskar Mieta – Team Lead & UX/UI Designer – Climate Control
Milan Hamel – UX/UI Designer – Media Player
Marck Fieret – UX/UI Designer – Communication
Jarod Leijten – UX/UI Designer – Navigation
Joep Wille – UX/UI Designer – Settings

Lightyear – www.lightyear.one