How can teenage drivers who have only one hand execute essential controls without removing their hand from the wheel?
Arc is a new design for the antiquated steering wheel that keeps drivers safely engaged with the wheel for the entire driving experience.
The Arc pad replaces the windshield and lights levers behind the wheel with an intuitive button layout and ergonomic wiper knob. The Arc pad can be temporarily unlocked and adjusted to any location on the top half of the wheel based on the driver's hand ability and comfort.
The Arc grip extends out of the wheel and spins freely, allowing the driver to make large turns without having to let go and readjust their grip or twist their arm uncomfortably. When a different family member wants to use the car, the arc grip can discreetly collapse into the wheel.
I worked on this project with 5 other members of Brown/RISD Design for America for a one-semester project sponsored by Chrysler. We conducted extensive research, interviewed users, iteratively prototyped our ideas, and then traveled to Chrysler's global headquarters to pitch the idea to their human machine interaction and product planning teams. All intellectual property developed in this project is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
