Space as Interface: Designing an in-car experience in a robotaxi as a liminal space transitioning from work to home with meaning

 The research focuses on imagining how the in-car experience could evolve and afford a new  form of experience in our everyday lives. Specifcally, it delves into the realm of spatial  interaction and multi-sensory experience, aiming to transcend the confnes of the current  two-dimensional screen paradigm. The central pursuit of this investigation is to explore the  possibilities of utilizing the physical space itself as an interface, facilitating embodied  interactions within the confines of the vehicle. As a result, the research leads to designing a  sacred space with a ritual that helps people rejuvenate from work and return to the  remaining day with meaning. 

At its core, the in-car experience epitomizes a state of liminality—a unique juncture  suspended between departure and arrival, physical and emotional transition. While the  journey harbors a defnitive destination, the temporal and spatial dimensions within this  interim phase remain nebulous, ofering a canvas of undetermined potentialities.  Recognizing the captive audience within this bounded yet expansive realm, this project  seeks to design an experience that transcends mere transportation—a design that resonates  deeply with one’s emotions and perceptions, orchestrating an immersive narrative through  the very fabric of space. Through rounds of exploratory research and generative research,  the research found opportunities in the setting of commute and incorporating the ritual  aspect to bring reflective activity afer work, to fnd meaning from the work portion of the  day and release emotion to rejuvenate returning back home.