Designing Seating for the Future of Urban Air Mobility

Aeronerv

About:

Inspired by nature’s efficiency, Aeronerv mimics biological structures to deliver strength and adaptability with minimal material usage. The seat form draws inspiration from biomimicry and cellular geometries for the optimal seat shape that is lightweight and matches the aesthetic of future urban flight, the Air Taxi.

Problem:

• Urban areas are overwhelmed with cars, buses, and delivery vehicles, leading to traffic jams, lost productivity, and increased stress.
• Commuters spend hours stuck in traffic, especially in larger cities which reply on public transport.
• Conventional vehicles are major contributors to urban air pollution and carbon emissions.

Solution:

• Air taxis alleviate ground congestion by opening a new layer of vertical mobility, especially for short to mid range commutes.
• Air taxis can dramatically cut commute times by bypassing congested routes, offering faster, point to point connections.
• My lightweight, efficient seat design supports electric VTOL aircraft, which produce zero operational emissions and use energy more efficiently.

Touchpoints:

Main Sections:

• Extra padding of TPU on the armrests and inside of the structure of the seat to ensure maximum comfortability when leaned upon. The seat moves with the person who is sitting on it because of the flexible material that forms to your body.
• Interaction points of the seat such as the headrest and base ‘cushion’ are made from flexible TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane). This has the perfect balance of flexibility and toughness for shock absorption and comfort which benefited my human factors specialism research.
• Occupies a 4-point seatbelt to ensure safety when using the seat and overall the Air Taxi for travel. This is easy to use and fits a large range of body types compared to a traditional seatbelt.

Optimised Topology Generation

• This seat design occupies the use of generative topology, a computational design approach that mimics natural evolution to find the most efficient structure for a given set of constraints, like load, comfort, and ergonomics. 
• Unlike traditional design methods, generative topology doesn’t just remove material, it sculpts it intelligently. Responding to stress maps, human body contours, and seating postures. 
• The result is an organic, optimised structure that supports the body precisely where needed, enhancing comfort while minimising material and weight. This process allows the seat to adapt to real human factors, pressure distribution, lumbar support and movement zones. 
• All while maintaining the strength and resilience needed for safe, urban air travel. 

Storyboard

___________________________________

Design Week Project

The IKEA AR headset offers a seamless and interactive way to design, shop, and assemble furniture, making the home furnishing experience more efficient, personalized, and hassle-free. By using AI powered room scanning and augmented reality visualisation, users can confidently choose the right furniture, ensuring a perfect fit before purchasing. The headset enhances creativity and convenience, allowing for real-time customization of colours, materials, and layouts. With gesture and voice controls, as well as AI assisted assembly guidance, it simplifies IKEA’s DIY process, reducing frustration and saving time. Whether used at home, in store, or online, the IKEA AR headset bridges the gap between imagination and reality, transforming the way people interact with furniture and their living spaces.

___________________________________

Year Placement – Factory Design

During my time at Factorydesign, I have had the opportunity to grow both technically and creatively within a professional design environment. I became more fluent in a range of CAD software, expanding my ability to communicate ideas effectively through digital modeling.

I also gained valuable insight into sustainable design practices and how to integrate them thoughtfully into real world projects. Working alongside experienced designers taught me the importance of innovative problem solving, and this experience has equipped me with the confidence and skillset to take on the challenges of my final year with a more professional and forward thinking approach.

Global Airlines CAD Renders:

At Factorydesign, I was trusted with producing high quality renders for Global Airline. These visuals were used to communicate design intent both internally and externally, and several of them are now featured on the company’s official website news room. This experience strengthened my eye for detail, composition, and lighting, allowing me to create atmospheres that enhance both the product and the user experience. It also gave me valuable insight into how visual storytelling plays a key role in real world design presentations and client communications.

Artemis Technologies Models:

As part of my work, I was responsible for creating dimensionally accurate 3D models to be integrated into high quality visualisations. These models were developed based on technical drawings and specifications, ensuring they met precise engineering standards while still being visually compelling for presentation purposes. This experience enhanced my attention to detail and deepened my understanding of how accurate CAD modeling supports both the functional and aesthetic goals of a project.