Ergonomics box: more room for ideas
Ergonomics box: more room for ideas
The new ID.3 impresses with a generous, lounge-style open-space interior. Find out here why this innovation was a radical step and how the new sense of space can prove enthralling.
Intuitive and spacious: the new ID.3 features a ground-breaking open-space interior. Despite sophisticated virtual simulation solutions, creating a tangible experience of the sense of space with an ergonomic seat box was an indispensable part of the development. In the fourth episode “Becoming ID.”, Dr. Gerrit Schmidt, Head of Conceptual Basics, explains why the interior of ID.3 represents a ‘radical’ step towards ‘airiness’.
What inspired you the most when developing the ID. family?
The ‘radicalism’ of the approach: I worked on a project in product strategy called “What comes after Golf?” a number of years ago. This focused on the next expected leap in the automotive industry, the next level of vehicles, so to speak. Now I had the opportunity to actually shape and develop this leap. Starting with the first sketches – the basic genes of the vehicle – with the aim of developing the best electric vehicles for our customers. We have gone new directions in many areas. This is great fun and definitely unique in the field of automotive development. If you look at the expected volumes, the ID. vehicles will transform the way roads look worldwide and make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. I also found this aspect incredibly motivating.
At what point did you realise that electric mobility is about to make a breakthrough for everyone?
When I sat in the first prototype of the ID.3 and had the chance to try it out. That’s when I knew that the vehicle concept was a success: it fascinates and is affordable at the same time. This is definitely also due to the scalable battery. This means that the ideal range can be configured for every type of driving. This is currently something unique in the compact car segment.
The open-space interior of the ID.3 is definitely a highlight for me.Dr. Gerrit SchmidtHead of Concept Basics
In detail: which technology do you find most fascinating in the new ID.3?
For me, it is not about “the one technology” at all, but the overall experience of the vehicle as a driver. The large interior space with compact dimensions, the ‘airiness’, the simplicity of operation. We also trimmed off some ‘braids’. For example, the operating concept is based on the ‘simplicity approach’ – in other words, less is more. Therefore, the vehicle is simply a clear step forward.
What was the biggest challenge you faced over the entire course of the project?
The biggest challenge for me was to implement the fundamental idea of the vehicle throughout the entire vehicle design process: an affordable, compact electric vehicle with a completely new spatial concept – open space – along with radically simplified operation. In the course of the process, you have to convince many colleagues to take new approaches, find different solutions and also develop new modules for the drive, battery or air conditioning system, for example.
What will you take away from this project personally?
I’m very proud of the car. It is simply fun to be allowed to reimagine the car over and over again. The whole open-space interior of the ID.3 is clearly a highlight for me. This would not have been possible without the colleagues’ intensive – but always cooperative and constructive – striving to achieve the optimum.
What advantages does an ergonomics seat box still offer today?
The seat boxes are a great way to experience and try out. You cannot develop cars exclusively at the green table. Despite all of the simulation solutions, in the end the feel of a vehicle is what always matters. This real model is the only way that we can optimally design and develop the vehicles for our customers.
