#HTE

Layer’s New Vehicle Concept Aims to Make Ridesharing More Appealing

Layer is banking on the future of rideshare with their latest concept, Joyn. The project envisions a “near-future” ridesharing platform centered around an autonomous vehicle that people will actually want to share. The design features eight S-shaped seats that create two private rows. Riders would use an accompanying app to hail a nearby ride and reserve a specific seat.

The emphasis of the design is on privacy but the seats have “dynamic wings that can be either kept closed or opened out to create a ‘buddy seat,’” the project description explains. “The interior takes its design cues from residential interiors, rather than traditional transport design, and the seatbacks feature stowable tables with smart-tech provisions.” The exterior is a “smart glass bubble” that allows for immersive views of the surrounding environment and would display “information specific to each passenger…via transparent OLEDs.”

Intended for shorter trips under 30 minutes, “passengers using this platform could alleviate the 'eco-guilt’ associated with car travel without sacrificing comfort or convenience,” Layer founder Benjamin Hubert says.

The design is definitely easy on the eyes (though we wish it addressed the issue of accessibility) but the question remains: will it be deemed useful enough to actually get built?