Joonyoung Koo, a student at Hochschule Pforzheim University, has created the ‘Project EDEN’ concept for his master’s thesis. Inspired by artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, this space car aims to revolutionize the way automobiles interact with people and nature, following the philosophy and aesthetics of the NIO brand.
The ‘NIO EDEN’ features a low-slung autonomous hypercar design, with a roof that curves slightly before ending in an open-lip front end. It’s LED lighting, which wraps around the hood, emits a bright and crisp glow, highlighting its surroundings. But it’s inside where Koo’s design truly amazes: doors and sunroof merged into a wide-access mechanism that slides open to reveal a spacious, spa-like cabin in pastel pink tones.
To achieve this innovative opening, Koo opted for a horizontal movement of the front and rear fenders instead of conventional doors. Upon opening, two reclining seats welcome passengers into a cozy atmosphere. Between these cinema-style seats, a rollable globe is located, serving as the control and switch of ‘NIO EDEN,’ allowing for an immersive driving experience and leisure moments when parked.
Koo, who now works as an Exterior Designer for NIO, drew inspiration from the nomadic life of early humans to create an open space in ‘NIO EDEN.’ His goal is to allow passengers to enjoy both the natural world and the high-tech features of their space car in perfect harmony, offering a unique experience in tune with their surroundings. The AI-powered ‘NIO EDEN’ embodies a symbiosis between design, technology, people, and nature.
