Audi Activesphere: Concept Car Augmented Reality UI

Project: AUDI activesphere concept car UI

Client: AUDI, Territory Studio

Roles: > creative technologist > lead software developer > UI animator

Tools: > Unity > Figma > MagicLeap2 > GLSL > C# > UDP

The Audi Activesphere concept car is a luxury coupé that transforms into a pickup. The cabin features a radical new approach to automotive HMI, where traditional screens are removed in favour of a custom Augmented Reality (AR) system named Audi Dimensions.

The first phase of the project involved the production of a six minute CG promotional video which served as the template for the technical demo that accompanied the the physical car. I translated these CG concepts into functioning prototypes, working on-site at the Audi factory to design and test new features. The demo was installed on an AR headset, the MagicLeap2, giving users a multimedia tour of the vehicle followed by two driving mode demonstrations.

> Consulting with UI / UX experts to shape futuristic CG concepts into feasible software solutions.

> Quickly adapting CG concepts into real, functional UI elements.

> Unity - rapid prototyping, spatial UI, MagicLeap2 integration.

> Writing custom GLSL shaders for smooth spatial UI on a low resolution screen.

> UPD communication with vehicle to control lights and motors.

> Multiplatform development, including a custom debug desktop mode allowing clients to test and review the experience without access to a MagicLeap headset.

>Working on-site at the Audi factory to design and test new features with the concept vehicle.

Spatial computing is a fascinating new domain for software designers, as we strive to balance aesthetic finesse with ergonomic functionality. Development of the “Audi Dimensions” UI system required several stages of research and rapid prototyping in pursuit of an elegant, minimalist solution.

To avoid users feeling overwhelmed by floating UI, we developed a contextual UI toolset with adaptive levels of detail (mimicking the transforming hardware of the car itself).