Jeep Raizes

Client

Jeep (Corporate Sponsored Project – Transportation)

Team

My team includes two Industrial Designers responsible for creating the Jeep’s interior and exterior designs, as well as an Interior Architecture Designer focused on designing the car’s shelter. For Interaction Design, the team consists of myself and one other designer. In addition to handling UI/UX design, I manage research, planning, ideation, and presentation, ensuring the overall thought process stays cohesive throughout the project.

Project Overview

The Jeep Raízes 2050 project focuses on creating a futuristic vehicle that integrates sensory, concentric design with cutting-edge technology to enhance the lives of coffee entrepreneurs in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The project, set over four months, will result in a Cray model of the Jeep and fully hosted interface prototypes. In this 4th-week progress report, we highlight the user testing conducted so far, key findings, and how these insights are shaping the product’s development.

Problem

Designing Jeep Raízes for 2050 (from a 2024 Perspective). Today’s kids, part of Generation Alpha, will grow up in a world very different from ours. By 2050, they will be the drivers, workers, and decision-makers, with changing needs and expectations. They will prioritize sustainability, self-sufficiency, and eco-friendly technologies. As we design the Jeep Raízes in 2024, we face the challenge of creating a vehicle that will fit into their world — a world where resources are scarcer, technology is more integrated into everyday life, and people rely on DIY and sustainable solutions to navigate an evolving planet.

Solution Summary

Key Features

• Neuro Sensory Ring: Provides vehicle alerts when away and allows for keyless entry.
• Terrain vs Auto Mode: Switch between manual off-road driving and autonomous city mode.
• Water Harvesting & Coffee Brewing: Collect rainwater and brew coffee on the go.
• Market Mode: Transform the Jeep into a mobile market setup.
• 180° Rotating Cabin: Rotate the cabin to navigate tight spaces effortlessly.
• Futuristic Command Center: Real-time updates on field conditions, weather, and farm management.

How did we get there?

We began by researching the evolving trends that will shape the world of 2050. We studied Generation Alpha’s early preferences, focusing on the growing importance of sustainability, tech integration, and self-sufficiency in their upbringing. This future generation will inherit a planet where resource scarcity, climate change, and technological advancements shape daily life.

Jeep 2050 takes you anywhere, and lets you see it all. 

Where will you go, and what will you discover? 

Research & Insights

Environmental Impact – Analyzing climate change and resource depletion to forecast the need for sustainable and eco-friendly vehicle features.

Technological Trends – Examining future technologies such as AR, drones, AI, and climate control systems to predict how vehicles can assist users in farming, navigation, and productivity.

Lifestyle Shifts – Identifying how the desire for self-reliance and DIY systems will influence car design and functionality, focusing on on-the-go productivity and sustainable solutions like rainwater harvesting.

From our research, we identified several key features that would cater to this new world, focusing on sustainability, advanced tech integration, and adaptability

Coffee Brewing & Rainwater Harvesting System
 – The car features built-in rainwater collection for sustainable coffee brewing on the go. An integrated coffee machine, with scent and taste sensors, analyzes flavor profiles and recommends ideal brewing methods and recipes for an elevated coffee experience.

I began by using the Jeep 3D gravity render (from the first image in the gallery above) to construct the foundational wireframe, which defined the layout, visual hierarchy, and interaction flow for the UI elements.

This wireframe served as the basis for designing the high-fidelity futuristic windshield display for the Raízes Jeep.

The visual above was generated using Vizcom and Adobe Photoshop, while the UI and interactive components were developed in Figma, ensuring an optimized user experience (UX) and seamless interaction design.

Command Center Access – The user will have full control of the command center from within the Jeep. In case of an emergency on the farm, they can remotely deploy and manage the drone stationed at the command center, ensuring efficient
and timely responses without leaving the vehicle.

180° Rotating Cabin – Designed with user-centric functionality in mind, the Jeep’s 180° rotating cabin enhances maneuverability in tight spaces, such as coffee fields. The intuitive cabin rotation system enables smooth transitions in direction, reducing the need for complex multi-point turns and offering a seamless, user-friendly experience. This feature prioritizes ease of use, reducing cognitive load and improving operational efficiency in challenging environments.

Terrain Mode vs Autonomous Mode – Effortlessly switch between manual terrain driving for mountain adventures and autonomous mode for city traffic. The intuitive interface ensures a seamless transition, allowing the user to relax and analyze coffee beans while the Jeep handles the road. This UX-driven design maximizes convenience and adaptability for different driving environments.

Weather Alerts – The Jeep’s UI displays real-time weather updates, turning the icon red for severe conditions. This quick visual cue ensures the driver stays alert to critical changes, enhancing safety and response time.

Command Center – The Jeep’s command center, featuring a ring-style glass interface, offers real-time insights into field conditions, weather forecasts, and even security updates on who is entering or exiting the farm. This cutting-edge interface provides continuous updates, allowing users to monitor and manage all aspects of farm operations seamlessly, from environmental conditions to on-site activities. With easy access to critical data, the intuitive system enhances efficiency, decision-making, and overall farm management—all from within the Jeep, ensuring the user remains informed and in control at all times.

Week 4 Progress

Next Steps

(Week 5 Progress)
As we prepare for the user testing phase of the Jeep Raízes 2050, our primary goal is to evaluate the usability, functionality, and emotional resonance of its core features. Although no prototypes exist yet, we are brainstorming how to effectively test these future-focused systems to gain early insights.

Project in progress…
We are exploring new ways to simplify UI/UX interactions while highlighting futuristic 3D aesthetics for a sleek and modern look.